Saturday, August 17, 2013

Shoulder Pain - Get Rid of Shoulder and Scapular Pain With These 3 Simple Exercises


Do you have nagging shoulder pain that just won't seem to leave you alone? Does it really seem to flare up when you spend long periods of time in front of your computer or driving in your van or truck?

If so, you're not alone! After low back pain, shoulder soreness is one of the most common every day injuries facing people today, and it can be downright depressing putting up with it on a daily basis with seemingly no end in sight.

If you suffer from this problem, I have great news for you! You can easily cure (or at least greatly reduce) your shoulder pain with just a few simple drills.

Today, I want to share with you 3 very simple exercises that can help alleviate your soreness. You see, the most likely cause of your shoulder soreness (unless you have had major trauma or serious injury to that area, in which case you should first seek out a qualified therapist or doctor) is an imbalance of the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint. Today, we spend so much time sitting hunched over in front of a computer (like you're doing right now - sit up straight!) or sitting all tense and bunched up in our cars that we end up constantly activating the muscles at the front of our shoulders and chest while at the same time neglecting the muscles on the back side of our bodies - the rear shoulders, the upper back and the mid-back.

The 3 exercises I'm about to show you will activate all of those key neglected areas which will cause your muscles to readjust how they pull on your should bones and tendons, thereby reducing your pain. Easy, isn't it!

Are you ready for the exercises? Here they are:

1) Scap Pushups:

Start in a traditional pushup position. From here, you're going to do a pushup WITHOUT moving your elbows. In other words, you're going to keep your arms absolutely straight and just move at your shoulder blades - pinching them together and then pulling them apart.

2) Scap Wall Slides:

Stand against a wall with your feet about 6 inches away from the wall and your butt, upper back and head all resting against the wall. Put your arms out to the side and bend your elbows so that you're in a 'stick up' position and then press your arms, elbows and hands against the wall too. Next, while keeping all of the above body parts in contact with the wall, slide your elbows down and in to your waist, putting emphasis on pinching your shoulder blades together. You should feel a tension between them as you do this. Return to the starting position and repeat.

3) Hand-To-Hand Touches:

Get in a pushup position with your hands resting on a table. Without excessively rotating your torso, lift up your right hand and bring it over to touch your left hand. Return to the starting position and then bring your left hand over to touch your right. Keep alternating back and forth.

It's that easy! Doing short micro workout bursts of these 3 exercises back to back will do wonders for helping alleviate your shoulder pain.

Top 3 Simple and Safe Back Pain Exercises At Home


There are many reasons why people are suffering from back pain problems today. One of the most common contributing factors to back pain problems is the effect of muscles strain that happens when there is an unexpected twist or force being exerted to your back. Besides that, a pull to one or several muscles in the back may also result to a tear in the muscle which will further worsen the condition.

Some back pain issues require medical attention and treatment, yet some could be treated with exercises with the aim of improving your back pain problems. Here are the top 3 simple and safe back pain exercises that can be performed at home effortlessly:

  1. Dorsal Raise - Dorsal raise is a form of stretching exercise that requires a mat to be placed on the floor while performing the workout. You would need to lie flat on your front with your hands on your temple. Relax your shoulders and take a deep breath while lifting your chest and stomach off the floor at a comfortable level.Hold it for 2-3 seconds and exhale while lowering your chest back to the ground.Do take note that focus should be placed on contracting the erector muscles on your lower back while doing the workouts. Avoid thrusting it upwards as it might potentially hurt your back.

  2. McKenzie Press-up - McKenzie press-up is a form of stretching exercise that is similar to dorsal raise. Similarly, you will also need to lie down flat on your front, with hands flat on the floor which ideally looks like a push-up position. Adjusting your hands to the ends of your shoulders and ensure that your head and neck is aligned with your spine (almost as if you are standing up straight). Relax your butt and back. Keep up with your breathing pace by inhaling and exhaling at comfortable pace. Exhale when you are lifting up your upper body while keeping your pelvis on the ground. Likewise, inhale as you slowly lower yourself down.Repeat this exercise 10 times with a pace of 4 seconds and a total of 2-3 sets a day.

  3. Pelvic Tilt - Pelvic tilt is a form of stretching exercise that can effectively strengthen your lower back muscles. It is a good exercise for starters who are seeking for remedies to relieve their lower back pain problems. This form of exercise requires you to lie down on your back, with your knees bend and your feet on the ground. Next, stretch your stomach muscles by moving your buttocks and pelvis towards the front so that your lower back is fully in contact with the floor. Hold it for a count of 6 and then slowly moving back to your original position.This exercise should be done for about 5 to 15 times for effective results.

By performing all these exercises regularly with discipline, your back pain issues should be eliminated on a long run. However, do seek for medical support if your back pain still persists after trying out the suggested back pain exercises. It is advisable to seek for professional help if your back pain is giving you symptoms that can be interpreted into serious health issues.

Lower Back Pain Exercises - Suitable Exercises For Your Back Pain Treatment


There are many reasons why people develop causes for lower back pain. They may be work related or may have stemmed from injuries road, sports, or simple accidents. In some cases, the reason for a person's lower back suffering may be due to the person's ageing process. For whatever reasons we sustained the lower back disorder, the most effective treatment available are the lower back pain exercises.

The most common causes of lower back pain disorders are the following:

1. Strained muscles due to overuse or overstretching. In some cases, vibrating motions due to the nature of the occupation can also cause back pains,

2. Osteoarthritis or degeneration of the joints of the spine brought about by ageing.

3. Spondylolysis a defect in the vertebra, wherein one vertebra tends to slide which takes place as a result of strenuous activities.

4. Spinal stenosis which also comes with the process of aging, when a spinal canal constricts and narrows.

5. Trauma suffered by the spine from an accident

6. Deformities of the spine like curvatures or scoliosis

7. Compression fractures which are common among menopausal women suffering from osteoporosis.

In all of these causes, getting into some form of exercise regimen will allow your muscles and ligaments to maintain movement. Care should be taken in doing lower back pain exercises as they will only do you more harm than good. For this purpose here are some light and easy to do exercises you might like to consider:

Using an Exercise Ball

Sit on an exercise ball and keep your feet firmly planted on the floor. Try experimenting further by lifting each leg one at a time until you can manage to get it higher. If you're in too much pain and feel that exercise can provide you with relief, simply sitting on the ball and keeping yourself balanced can have the benefits that you need.

Simple Stretching exercises

1. Lie flat on your back and pull your legs together while bending your knees. Let your arms stay on your sides then move you knees sideways and hold it there for 20 minutes, breathing easily in the process.

2. Take the same lying down position but this time pull your bended knees slowly towards your chest. Alternate with each knee for every 20 seconds;

Lower back pain exercises however should be done with care. Make it a point that you will not engage in any physical activity that will require you to do moves while bending over. In addition, take a warm bath before making the routine since this will keep you lighter and more energized.

Exercises for Relief of Foot Pain


Weakness in the foot can cause falling arches, bunions and hammer toes. These are potentially very painful. However, you can get a lot of relief by a few easy exercises.

There are two arches in the foot. One runs across the foot on the bottom at the joints where the toes join the foot. The other is at right angles to the first and runs from the heel to the base of the first toe. These arches are supported by ligaments and muscles. There is not much you can do to strengthen ligaments, but exercising the muscles that support the arch are an important method to relieve your foot pain.

When they fall, your arches stretch out and become irritated. You can get pain directly from that. But, bone spurs can also develop and they can be very painful as well.

Bunions are formed when the sideways (transverse) arch falls. Then it pushes the sides of the joints outwards where they rub against the inside of the shoes. This builds up a callous.

When the lengthwise (longitudinal) arch falls, the change in the foot pulls up the base of the toes. This puts more pressur on the bottom of the base of the toes and the tops of the middle of the toes rubs on the inside of the shoes. This will cause increased pain and callous formation.

There are muscles that attach to different parts of the arch and tend to pull it up. When you strengthen those mucles you help keep the arch up.
One easy exercise can be done while you are watching television. Simply drop a few quarters on the carpet in front of your chair and practice picking them up with your foot. This will help keep the foot muscles strong and limber.

A second exercise is also easy. That is simply trying to 'make a fist' with your foot. Tighten up the muscles and hold it for the count of 5 and then release. As you get stronger, hold it for longer and longer. Do repetitions. As you get stronger, you should start getting some relief.
The final exercise is a bit hard to explain, but here goes. You need to roll your foot around and then go back the other way. So, you start by pulling your foot up. Next rotate it outwards - then down. Finally rotate it inwards and go back to the starting position. The trick is to do it against resistance. That way you will be building up the muscles in your lower leg that pull up on your arches.

Another type of pain may seem like it is causes by falling arches, but is actually from the tendons in the lower leg being tight.

You can improve this type of pain by stretching out the back of the lower leg. Do this by putting your foot up on a low stool while you are standing. Hold the foot so the big toe is pointed straight up. When you are in this position, pull your foot up so your big toe is trying to point toward your head. You should feel stretching in the back of your leg. After doing this for a few days, you should start feeling some relief of your foot pain.
Even if you are not having pain, these are great exercises to do to keep you from starting to get pain. So, you should be doing them even if you don't have foot pain right now.

If you still have pain after doing these exercises, you may need some arch supports in your shoes. If your problem is mild, you can buy them at any drug store. If the arches are very bad, your doctor may need to prescribe special ones.

Give the exercises a try. But if you still have no improvement in your pain after a week or so, you should see your doctor.

Abdominal Exercises During Pregnancy and Postpartum


Abdominal exercises are not just for building six packs. They have other uses such as alleviating your lower back pain, strengthening your abdominal muscles, and improving your overall health. For pregnant and postpartum women these exercises are especially important since for them it is not just about getting a better body shape but also about avoiding future complications and a lot of pain.

A woman undergoes a lot of changes during pregnancy. These include changes in the muscles as well since the body needs to accommodate a growing fetus. In order to allow the baby to grow, the muscles become laxer and be more stretchable. The abdominal muscles stretch the most. These stretch about 50% or more than their usual length. This could weaken these muscles causing lumbar compression. Doing abdominal exercises can strengthen the muscles. Strengthened muscles would be able to support the uterus better. They also decrease pelvic pressure and lumbar compression thus decreasing the lower back pain and pelvic pain.

Abdominal exercises done during pregnancy and postpartum also help your body deal with the condition called diastasis recti. It is a normal condition in which the abdominal muscle called rectus abdominus splits along the length so as to make room for your growing baby. Most women get this condition. Due to the diastasis your lower back will get lesser support and hence will cause you pain. There may be other discomforts as well. Also, after the pregnancy the rectus abdominus needs to join together and if you do not control the diastasis with exercises your body may have difficulty doing this. This would lead to problems such as umbilical hernia in future.

Abdominal exercises also help you have a safer and easier delivery. Other than that pilates and other exercises improve your posture and decrease pains and aches. They strengthen the pelvic floor and back which in turn protect you from any future injury. These exercises also help postpartum women get back into shape quickly.

All in all, it is very important that pregnant and postpartum women do abdominal exercises. Most exercises are safe enough though you must consult your doctor before you start on anything. Remember to drink lots of fluids while you go about these since the baby would be taking food from you and would require adequate nutrition. After postpartum if you still have fat to lose you may want to consider fat reduction exercise routines such as P90X. You may learn more on P90X, P90X reviews, and P90X workout from the links given below.

Exercises For Sciatica - 4 Simple Back Strengthening Exercises For Sciatica Relief


Sciatic nerve pain and poor posture can really be a plague on your existence at times. An excellent way to avoid this, is to make low back strengthening exercises for sciatica a part of your daily regime. Weak lower abdominal muscles are one of the biggest causes of sciatica and chronic back pain.

Your core, when properly strengthened, includes not only your back muscles, but your abdominals and obliques as well. When you exercise to make these muscles stronger, your support system is made stronger and you stand taller and don't experience sciatic nerve pain performing daily activities. While many people focus on strengthening their abs, most neglect performing back strengthening exercises for sciatica.

So today, we are going to cover 4 very simple strengthening exercises that will help you strengthen all of those back muscles, including those in your lower back that we have the most problems with. Remember to always tighten your pelvic floor and lower abdominal before starting any exercises for sciatica. Keep them contracted during each exercise.

For your lower back try this low back strengthening exercise - Contract your abs tightly for as long as you can without losing focus. Continue to breath while holding them tight. You can do this back strengthening exercise for sciatica anywhere, any time, in any position. Even while just sitting at work at your desk, or at home watching T.V.! Doing this maintains normal spinal curve in your back, as well as strengthens your core, and even tightens those abs!

For your upper back and total core strengthening - Try the Bridge! Lying flat on your back, keeping feet flat on the floor and knees as 90 degree angles, slowly and steadily lift your buttocks up off the floor, keeping your abs tightly contracted. Don't go too high, just a little bit. Hold for 5 counts. Then slowly lower hips to the floor, and repeat 5 more times.

For your middle back - Stand tall. Draw your shoulders back and down, squeezing your shoulder blades together tightly. This contracts the muscles down your middle back. Repeat a few times until your muscles feel fatigued.

For a total back strengthening exercise for sciatica, indeed total body strengthening, try the plank. The plank is a yoga move involving your entire body. Stretch out on the floor face down, and raise up on your elbows and toes. Breathing deeply and evenly, hold the position. Keep your neck straight and your eyes on the floor, and don't let your back dip in the middle. The goal is to create a straight spine from bottom to top, and hold the position for as long as you can. This is a supreme back strengthening exercise for sciatica that again, you can do just about anywhere. If it is too much for you, modify it by lowering your knees and holding the position that way.

There are many more low back strengthening exercises for sciatica, I just endeavored to offer you the 4 most simple and effective ones that you can do anywhere, any time.

Friday, August 16, 2013

The Treadmill and the Aching Lower Back


Despite what might seem like primarily a cardio vascular workout designed at targeting the lower extremities, the treadmill may well be an excellent way to restore function following a bout of lower back pain.

Keep in mind the perceived exertion must be relatively low since the intended response to the activity is not focusing on increasing your heart rate as much as it is to simulate a sort of casual walk. And the amount of time should be around only five minutes to start so long as lower back pain symptoms do not increase with use. Only then should you consider adding increments of time, maybe two or three minutes every other walking session, until a total of twenty pain free minutes can be attained.

After achieving the lofty goal of twenty minutes, only then should you consider increasing your speed of movement. And even then it will be limited to simply a fast walk. Keep in mind the faster you go, the greater the impact your body will have to absorb. This includes the hips, knees and spine.

Frequency can safely range from three to five walks a week. Adequate rest should be taken between sessions to ensure proper recovery time.

Another very important factor is form. As you are holding onto the treadmill while exercising, you will limit the involvement to mainly the lower extremities. Consider walking without holding on and involve the use of the arms by having them swing naturally from front to back while walking. This will get the whole body involved. Including your lower back!

Of course, as you should need to hold on initially, please do so until walking without holding can be achieved. And only eliminate the use of holding on as you feel steady enough, well enough, and free of faint or dizziness.

It is also important to make mention that for those individuals with a painful lower back; walking flat is preferred over using an incline setting. An incline setting will add stress to the already aching back by altering your center of gravity and causing you to lean forward.

Walking is good exercise, even for those with lower back pain. Just follow the basic guidelines and of course consult your physician before starting any physical activity to ensure it is the right one for you.

Before beginning any exercise program, it is recommended that you first consult a physician. Only a physician can determine what type of exercise, the frequency, and the intensity that is appropriate for each individual.

Got Pain in Your Lower Back? Do These 3 Simple Exercises For an Instant Pain Relief Right Now!


So you had a little too much fun over the weekend and now your lower back is acting up again? There are a number of things you can do right now to get an instant relief from the pain. One of the simplest and safest ways that can help you is by doing some simple exercises to loosen up the tight muscles and immediately stop that pain in your lower back.

Some of us, however, choose to rely on the NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) which our doctors give us each time we complain about our hurting back. These pills do work to a certain extent, but did you know taking too much of these drugs may cause problems to your liver and kidney?

Instead of facing that possibility, I would rather you do some of these simple exercises now to relief that pain in your lower back so you can get on with your everyday stuff:

Sitting Stretch: While sitting down in your chair, lean forward as much as you can. Try touching the floor, and hold your stretched position for 20 continuous seconds. Then, slowly bring your body back upright. Repeat this exercise 3 to 5 times.

Knee Bends: Stand and use your chair to support yourself. Place your hands on the chair, and then slowly bend your knees. Exhale as you go down as low as you can comfortably go. Then slowly stand back up, inhaling as you do so. Do 10 times of this exercise.

Waist Twist: Stand with your legs shoulder-width apart and hands relaxed by your side. Simply swing your arms right then left. Make sure you gently pat your lower back as your arms reach around. This is a great way to massage your kidneys. Do 10 repetitions of this motion.

After doing these exercise routines, you should feel a whole lot better. But that does not mean you will no longer suffer from any pain in your lower back. Remember, your back pain is only a signal or symptom of something wrong within your body. Take the time to learn more about a longer-term solution to your lower back pain so you too can start to enjoy life to the fullest without worrying about snapping your back again... like me!

Lower Back Pain - Common Causes and Treatment Options


Do you know that lower back pain is the most common ailment these days? Large number of people suffers from this painful condition at some point or the other in their life. It is indeed a matter of great concern and it should not be neglected in any manner.

If you are suffering from mild or severe lower back pain, you should certainly rush to doctor for getting relief and to lead healthy and fit life. You all would be surprised to read that back problems are on steady rise and have become as common as headache or cough but its cure is must for everyone. Before taking steps for prevention of low back pain, it is important to know about root cause of this ailment. Some of such causes are written below- have a look!

Injury in bone, nerves of spinal cord or muscle
Infection in lower body parts like bladder, kidney, hips and abdomen etc.
Pregnancy
Arthritis
Osteoporosis
Broken vertebrae

It is important to know about the exact cause of lower back pain before undergoing for its treatment. Doctors can offer you various pain relief ointments and creams to give you complete relief from pain.

If your pain has occurred due to deficiency in nutrients, then ask doctors to prescribe you healthy diet full of vitamin D. Moreover enriching diet with calcium rich food sources too helps in getting relief from lower back pain. You would be happy to know that certain exercises are also advised by doctors to be done on regular basis that can help in keeping the pain at bay.

You would be surprised to know that acupuncture also plays a big role in curing lower back pain along with some dietary change in your lifestyle. Yoga is again a good option to treat lower back pain. Doctors also advices hot compression technique for getting relief from pain. Apart from this, doctors may advice you with best option that suits you to treat your pain.

You can even pull out some food items from your kitchen to cure pain associated with lower back. Application of garlic oil is an amazing way to cure pain. Mix 5 tbsp of garlic oil and sesame oil with mustard or coconut oil in a pan. Now heat it over low flame with fresh cloves of garlic. Apply over your back and leave for few hours.

Take some peeled and boiled potatoes. Mash them nicely. Spread mashed potatoes on piece of gauge and cover them with other pieces. Now place them over lower back for getting relief from terrible pain.

Back and Leg Pain


Are you suffering with back and leg pain? Do you need pain relief for sciatica? Lower back Pain or Sciatica generally occurs often as a result of 'overdoing things', such as spending the whole weekend digging the garden, after a week of sedentary occupation "inactivity". There's often a high incidence of lumbar pain in drivers, or lumbar pain in golfers. Sciatica usually occurs in the 30 - 50 age group, is generally infrequent in younger people, although it isn't mutually exclusive from any age group.

Although most lower back pain and sciatica is very treatable and is not permanent, it's advisable to consult your GP to obtain an objective diagnosis of the condition, a course of treatment, and a strategy to prevent a re-occurrence such as the formulation of a daily exercise routine. If the sciatica and back pain can be managed then this should alleviate the need for more radical future treatment such as surgery, should the condition is allowed to become chronic or long-term.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica strictly speaking isn't one condition, but is often a generic term applied to a number of symptoms that could be brought about as a result of irritation of the sacral nerve roots from the spine that converge to form the sciatic nerves. Usually, the symptoms will only be experienced on one side.

Sciatica is usually triggered by the compression of nerves in the lumbar region or sacrum at the base of the back or indeed the sciatic nerve itself.

This nerve compression or irritation results in pain in that area or sensations or numbness down into the thigh or legs. Effectively we are causing a "short circuit" of the neurological transmissions from below the point of the nerve irritation.

Causes of Sciatica

Causes of Sciatica can include:

Spinal prolapsed disc or lumbar disc herniation

Most Sciatica is brought about as a result of a spinal disc bulge where distortion or pressure exerted on the vertebrae has caused the intervertebral disc to be pushed (prolapsed) onto the nerves, or a herniated disc in the lower spine, where the soft inner pulp has been pushed through a tear in the outer wall, protruding onto the nerve. Pressure on the nerve causing leg or back pain can also be caused by or vertebral misalignment or degenerated discs.

Spinal Stenosis

This occurs where the channel through which the spinal cord runs (spinal canal) becomes narrow, maybe as a result of a herniated disc, a bone spur or misalignment of a spinal segment (Spondylolisthesis), inflammation. This reduction in space may cause compression and irritation of the nerves and subsequent back pain in the sciatic nerve roots

Piriformis Syndrome

This can occur where the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve, as a result of the muscle suffering trauma such as a strain or spasm and tensing around the nerve. This can occur in the minority of the population where the sciatic nerve actually runs through the piriformis muscle, rather than underneath it.

Posture or work related Sciatica

Posture related sciatica or work related sciatica can be brought on by such factors as long periods of standing e.g. hairdressers, or occupational activities which cause distortion or misalignment over time of the sacral joint e.g. one sided carrying or operation of equipment such as tool belts or shoulder held hedging strimmers.

Pregnancy

Compression of the sciatic nerve and therefore back pain or sciatic pain can occur as a result of pressure from the uterus or again through spine alignment changes and alignment, arising from physical changes from carrying the foetus and changes in the spinal loading.

Trigger Points

Although the subsequent pain is similar to that associated with sciatic nerve compression or irritation, this occurs in the trigger points of the lower back muscles and gluteus muscles (buttocks) have poor blood flow as a result of trauma or muscular contraction or spasm.

Symptoms of Sciatica

Symptoms of sciatica may include:-

Numbness or tingling in the lower back, buttocks, or legs

Sharp or stabbing pain from below that point in the legs or buttocks

Stinging or burning sensations, or cramping felt in the thigh

These pains may increase where there is sudden or exaggerated movement in lumbar region e.g. stretching, twisting, or sneezing which may have the effect of further irritating the affected nerves. Your GP will carry out a physical examination, usually determining the amount of movement and their pain thresholds in the lumbar region and legs, and sometimes following up if need be with x-ray, CT or MRI scans if necessary to establish root cause.

Treatment for Sciatica

Treatment for sciatica usually involves addressing the sciatica pain and inflammation initially, relaxing the muscles.

Over the counter pain killers are often effective along with anti inflammatory medication or ice packs in dealing with the initial discomfort. If the pain is more severe, then your GP may prescribe a more powerful epidural steroid injection to reduce the pain by easing the inflammation to the sciatic nerve. Alternatively natural back pain relief products are available for those of us reluctant to use drug therapy and these could be discussed with your GP

Rest is not regarded as the best therapy for back pain relief or sciatica. Indeed, there are exercises that can be carried out if there is a bout of sciatica. Stretching exercises or Yogic positions may be carried to decrease pressure on the sciatic nerve by relaxing muscle tension in the affected area.

Exercises for sciatica

Once the sciatic pain and inflammation is under control then a course of back pain relief therapy and stretching exercise routines can be devised by your GP to strengthen and tone the lower back in order to reduce the risk of recurrence of the sciatica. Indeed having an effective exercise routine for sciatica and back pain can be the most successful strategy in controlling or managing the condition

Abdominal Exercise: How Does It Help In Reducing Lower Back Pain?


There are many causes for lower back pain, like retracted muscle, disc issues/problems, arthritis, or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. If you want to tackle lower back pain successfully, the important areas you need to address are beneficial abdominal workout routines.

A person's core stability depends mainly on abdominal strength. Thus, it prevents a swayed back as well as compacted nerves. Nevertheless, not all abdominal exercises are the same. So to prevent making your pain worse, you will have to select the correct abdominal exercises from the start.

To get it done effectively, you ought to know the main cause before doing any exercise.

Back Pain Causes

Low back pain is caused by these two reasons:

  • Injury to the back or abdominal region

  • Uneven muscle strength or muscle group imbalances

Muscle imbalances lead to postural dysfunction. It consist of spine's abnormal curvature and pelvis' abnormal alignment. Thus, abnormal alignment will cause wearing out of the joints, muscles, ligaments and discs.

Everyone should know that this pain doesn't happen in just one night. Ok, you may become symptomatic rapidly, but this happens over a long time period, it takes time where your back reaches the point of finally caving in, leading to pain in the lower back.

Back Muscle Imbalance

Muscle imbalance takes place when the muscles are overdeveloped in one part wherein the other side are being pulled out. These imbalances can also occur on any body part which may be due to your activities. There are actually several things that may give rise to this pain.

Once the muscle groups are unbalanced, misalignment will almost certainly take place. Postural dysfunction can take place following spinal shifts and muscle imbalances.

Abdominals and Their Role

The abdominal region is the place where pain starts. It is generally caused by short or tight muscles in the lumbar region. Either one of these will cause abnormal pressure on the spinal column and nerve irritation. Discs can become compressed resulting in tighter muscles and additional soreness.

Your abdominal muscles are those that tilt your hips under and return your spine to a neutral position. Your abdominals need to be used just enough to return the spine to a neutral position to prevent it from over-arching. Your abdominals aid your back to transfer from a bad postural position into a neutral position.

But conditioning your abdominal muscles doesn't instantly make them supportive of your spine or alleviate postural dysfunction. It is dependent on where the muscle imbalance is occurring, thus the postural dysfunction, performing an incorrect abdominal exercise might not have any benefit to you at all, or you could actually make the condition more painful.

Dealing With Hip and Lower Back Pain


The very serious problems that are relating to back pain are the hip and the lower back. Usually hip pain and lower back pain come hand in hand as the pain is very similar. As the causes of the lower back pains are same as of hip pains.

Your body movements are basically affected if you are having hip pains and or lower back pains. These problems cannot be fully removed and this becomes a very painful situation. The people over 40 years old who are facing this problem deal with a terrible experience as far as the pain are concerned. They must stay still at one place to avoid having body movements which makes it very difficult for them to walk around when they are in their home.

The causes of the hip pain and lower back pain occur as follows:
- The nerves that are connected to the hip are coming from the lower back which becomes affected by a neurological problem.
- Any injuries to the muscles in the lower back might also affect the hip muscles.
- Any injuries to the muscles in the hip might also affect the lower back muscles.
- Is very difficult to face these pains as it is not easy pain to deal with.
- Arthritis will also affect both organs the back and the hip adding more pain to the body.

If you were to ask your physician for the reasons behind hip pain and lower back pain, he may not be able to provide you with an answer. Causes of this pain can be arthritis, spinal stenosis and a fracture. The thigh bone, the femur and pelvis are connected together at the hip joint, as these bones have cover of articular cartilage, which is a different matter altogether as it works as a shock absorber. This act as a contraction and expansion as the existing pressure helps to protect the bones as the hip joint contain a lubricating substance around the muscles. In the hip joint you have a capsule that can go in any direction since the hip joint is the ball and the socket joint as the nerves nearby this area come from the lower back.

The lower back can always be treated with a treatment regularly, once the causes of your hip or back pain is found your doctors will provide you some medications with some routine exercises which will improve your daily habits. If there are any changes in your back pain it should be directed to your doctor, if there is any pain in your lower back or your hip you should contact your doctor as soon as possible as it can easily become a serious and major problem such as arthritis or a congenital hip or lower back problem. This is a situation in which your hip joint ball is not seated properly where is suppose to be at the socket, if the socket is not deep the ball will have to move from the edge of the socket.

While aging and use plays an important role as the situation arises in which the fluid filled sac is inflamed and create pain, a person over the age of 40 years old may get a fracture with a gentle fall and this will not be able to be operated and this patient must face this problem the rest of his life.

If by any chance you have your two legs which are of different length you might be getting into having a problem of hip or lower back pain due to the difference in length, arthritis needs a different treatment, which needs to be followed for a longer period of time.

The treatment usually is a treatment of heat and cold water which helps to alleviate the pain. Maintaining weight control is very important as well as using medications against inflammation is required. Hips and lower back will provide support to our body while the attention of our problems must stand out with very strong support.

A solution has been created which will help to avoid these pains and make you pain free, is a solution known as Muscle Balance Therapy which is the greatest back pain break-through of our generation.

If you need additional information about the Muscle Balance Therapy Please visit this site.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

P90X and Back Pain: Causes and Solutions


P90X, or Power 90 Extreme, is an intense, 13-week exercise program gaining popularity among those seeking to get fit fast. Many people experience great results with this exercise program, but it is important to be cautious when starting any new physical activity. The strength and flexibility demands of P90X can result in back pain for those who do not already have a high level of fitness when they begin the program.

P90X comes with 12 DVDs that focus on strength training, cardio and stretching. The program can be individualized by selecting the rotation of DVDs that supports your workout goals.

Internet forums are full of people asking for advice on avoiding back pain during P90X. The following exercises are identified by many as the main causes of back pain.

Ab Ripper X

This 15-minute workout is performed 3 times a week. It entails a number a exercises designed to build your abdominal muscles fast. Many exercises that focus on the abdominal muscles cause back pain by creating strain in the lower back.

One exercise in particular performed during Ab Ripper X can create tremendous strain on the lower back and hips: the Fifer Scissors. The exercise entails leaning back on the floor with your back slightly off the ground and your legs in the air doing a scissor kick. The weight of your legs creates resistance in your abdominal muscles, building strength. The abs are also working to hold your upper body off the floor.

When your legs are in the air, your hip flexor muscles and not just your abs are working hard to hold them up. The hip flexor muscles pull on the pelvis, forcing it to tilt forward which increases the arch in the lower back. This can cause significant strain to the muscles of the lower back.

See the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftk8ZtAcTsg for a tip on reducing pelvic tilt during the Fifer Scissors exercise. In general, it is a good idea to tailor Ab Ripper X to your individual needs, performing less repetitions at first, pausing the DVD when needed and eliminating exercises that cause pain.

Dreya Roll

The Dreya Roll is an exercise at the end of the Core Synergistics segment of P90X. You can see it performed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOb3RLgZOgc. This is a very high-intensity workout that, according to many reviewers, cannot be done at first. The strength required to push your body from a sitting to a standing position is supposed to come mainly from your core. This presupposes a lot of core strength; when that strength is lacking, you'll likely find that you bend at your lower back to push your upper body forward and get the momentum to push upward. This strains the lower back muscles.

Many people report leaving this exercise out completely until they have advanced in the program and developed significant core strength. If lack of strength requires that you alter your form in order to perform an exercise, it is best to leave the exercise out until it can be performed correctly.

Plough Position

YogaX is part of the P90X program. While this may sound like an easy and relaxing component, it is full of poses that only advanced yoga practitioners could pull off. One of these is the plough position. From a shoulder stands, you lower your legs over your head to the floor until the top parts of your lower legs are on the floor and your knees are next to your head.. This requires tremendous flexibility of the spine and the muscles and ligaments from the lower back to the neck and shoulders.

Attempting to do the plough pose your first few times with YogaX can result in muscle and ligament strains throughout your upper body due to overstretching. Many other yoga poses require strength that you may not have at first. Respect yoga as a form of exercise and don't go into it thinking all poses are attainable at first.

Muscle strain is the main danger to your back during P90X. If you continually overexert, you risk damage to your spinal joints and discs as well. Tailor the workout to your needs, and don't attempt to keep up with the video's instructor at first. Take your time, pause when needed and eliminate workouts that create excess stress on the back.

Three Causes of Burning Pain in the Lower Back


If you experience any burning pain in the lower back and you are looking for an effective treatment, then you need to be able to properly identify the different causes of your pain so that you can best treat it. Often, we might think that we are simply suffering from muscle strain, or the sciatica is acting up, but you may find that there are underlying causes for your lower back pain that can help to ease the symptoms and cure your condition better than if you were to simply treat the pain.

Cause #1: Strained and Tired Back Muscles

You can suffer from real burning pain in lower back pain, when the muscles have been strained, pulled or are tired. Often, you may find that your back becomes tired just from standing. This could be due to poor posture, which is causing one side of your back muscles to work harder than the other side. The best remedy for this type of lower back pain is to gently stretch the lower back and work on exercises which can help to strengthen the back muscles and core and keep both sides of the back balanced in strength.

Cause #2: Sciatica
Often, if you feel burning pain in lower back, it is due to sciatica, a condition where your sciatic nerve becomes inflamed or compressed. Usually, this will happen because of certain movements that cause a misalignment of the back that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, which causes a burning sensation to run down the leg and can sometimes even carry into the side of the foot. Often, sciatica is an indication of another condition, but sometimes, people notice they will suffer from a bout of sciatica when they do certain exercises or certain activities that throw their bodies out of alignment.

Cause #3: Disc Problems

If you don't know much about your back and spine, then you might not know much about the discs in your back. Discs rest between the vertebra and help to cushion it from shock that occurs in our every day movements. Sometimes, when we move the wrong way or continuously engage in activities that are hard on the muscles in the back, we might find that we slip a disc or cause it to become herniated. When a disc becomes herniated, it will become inflamed and can often press on the sciatic nerve, which will often cause a burning pain in the lower back. Even if you don't have sciatica associated with a disc problem, you will likely find that you suffer from terrible pain due to this type of injury.

While these are only three causes of experiencing burning pain in lower back, you might find that these explanations can help you to better treat your back pain and choose how to handle the pain associated with any type of lower back injury. Always remember that if your pain is too severe or if you are struggling to move, before making any type of decision on treating yourself, you should seek medical attention to ease your pain.

Lower back pain can be frustrating and hard to deal with, but when you learn the causes of this injury, you will find that you can likely get back on your feet and moving around in no time.

Lower Back Pain Exercises And Their Benefits


Lower back pain exercises are very important for the treatment of back pain and the strengthening of the back muscles. The lower back pain exercises recommended by one's orthopedic surgeon or the physiotherapist need to be carried out regularly and in the correct manner in order to derive maximum benefit.

Walking, swimming, biking and aerobic exercises are commonly recommended lower back pain exercises. However, doctors recommend different exercises in accordance to the condition of a patient. The exercises recommended in the initial and final stages of the treatment also vary.

In the initial stages of the treatment, doctors recommend exercises involving upward and downward movements of ankles. Lower back pain exercises, such as the abdominal contraction, wall squats, heel raises and straight leg raises, involve tightening of the abdominal muscles while moving the knees or heels.

In the intermediate treatment program, one can perform lower back pain exercises, such as the single knee to chest stretch, the hamstring stretch and the lumbar stabilization exercise with the Swiss ball. It is important to ensure that the abdominal muscles remain contracted during each exercise. For this, one needs to lie on his/her back with knees bent and hands resting below ribs.

The advanced lower back pain exercise program involves exercises such as the Hip Flexor Stretch, the Piriformis stretch and the lumbar stabilization exercises with the Swiss ball. Some exercises strain the lower back and should be avoided. These include the hip twists, the hurdlers stretch, sit-ups with straight legs and any kind of stretching exercise that requires quick and bouncy movements. Physical activities, such as swimming and walking, are very good for the strengthening of the back. One must seek proper guidance before taking up any exercise for the treatment of back-related problems.

Lower Back Exercises Might Be Part Of Your Back Pain Solution


Lower back pain exercises are what many people undertake when searching for something to alleviate the excruciating experience of severe back pain. If you are someone enduring this problem, you might find some small comfort in knowing that you are not in the minority. Believe it or not millions of people every year have an injury that leads to chronic or acute back pain, but it's not only people with injuries that get this painful experience.

Back pain is a problem that 80% or more of us will get at some point in our lives, with lower back pain being the most common. Many of us will get this condition by one of the many different causes, and the problem may repeat itself more than once.

It really can take you by surprise; you can be going about your everyday life when suddenly, out of the blue, it can hit you like a lightning bolt. This is what happened to me only four years ago while at home and about to get up from my seat to go to the kitchen.

A natural reaction to aches and pains quite often is to rest, which actually sounds quite sensible. Rest in some cases may be the best form of treatment, but keeping active, if so prescribed, can do the world of good for your recovery. It's quite common when something like this happens to you, that you hope that the incident was a one-off and that the problem will just go away. Unfortunately it usually doesn't work that way, and 'burying your head in the sand' rarely helps any problem.

Although the two types (or classes) of back pain are chronic and acute, the causes are many and varied. That's why it's wise to try to find out exactly what is causing your particular predicament, and if necessary get advice from appropriate medical specialists.

Having said that, it can be difficult to know what advice would suit you, because there are so many different approaches you can take in an attempt to get rid of your pain. If you decide to go and visit a doctor about your situation you could visit one of many. There are various medical professionals or specialists that you can see such as your family doctor, a chiropractor, a physiotherapist, a osteopath or an acupuncture practitioner to name a few. All have their various abilities and areas of expertise, and may be able to help you, but the one person you shouldn't overlook who may be able to help you the most in this situation... is yourself!

That's right, in many cases, with the right knowledge you can solve your own problem by identifying the cause of your back pain, and deciding to resolve things and take the necessary action. Of course we are all individuals with a different height, weight, and fitness level. There may even be other medical conditions you have that are affecting you; all of these things make your situation unique.

With all the remedies available to combat back pain, surprisingly many of us will feel that we "just have to live with it", or we leave it far too long before we do anything about it. I was one of those people but have since learned that there are many things we can do to help ourselves. I've also learned from my experience that we should always attend to a back problem as soon as possible, so that we understand our situation; this in turn takes away the fear of the unknown. Also taking prompt action will reduce the unnecessary length of time that we suffer the pain.

It's also just as wise to take an interest in our overall health condition and keep it maintained well. I am very much a believer that with this kind of approach many of our problems would sort themselves out, or might not have happened in the first place.

Kettlebells - Your Ticket to a Stronger, Pain Free Lower Back


If you've ever suffered from lower back pain, you know that it can be a real pain in the butt.

If you've ever suffered from really bad lower back pain, like I have, you know it can be debilitating. Even the most mundane daily tasks like walking or standing from a chair can be a challenge.

Many times, lower back pain and injury occurs due to a variety of factors, but some of the major culprits are muscle weaknesses and muscle imbalances.

Kettlebells can help fix those imbalances and weaknesses. Before we look at how kettlebells can help, lets look at some of the common weaknesses and imbalances.

1. Weak Abdominals. Your abs, when working properly help keep your pelvis from moving too much or moving into the wrong positions when moving, be it regular moving or exercising.

2. Tight Hip Flexors. Your hip flexors allow you to walk, run, climb, stand, sit, lunge, twist, and turn. When these muscles get tight, they pull the pelvis out of its natural alignment. If your abs are weak, this becomes a major problem. Also, it is known that tight hip flexors prevent the abdominals from working correctly.

3. Weak Butt. Yes, the ol' derriere is designed to help you move forward and provide a counterbalance when bending. When this muscle is weak in combination with the others, it can spell disaster for your lower back.

4. Weak Hamstrings. These are the muscles that run down the back of your legs. They also are designed, along with the butt, to move you forward and provide a counterbalance to your upper body when bending.

There are of course other muscles that can contribute to back pain, but these are some of the main culprits.

Basic kettlebell exercises such as the Deadlift and the Swing strengthen your weak areas - your butt, abdominals, and hamstrings. These kettlebell exercises aid in correcting these muscular imbalances protecting your lower back over the course of time.

Honestly, most of the kettlebell exercises focus on the hips and core, and when performed correctly, literally have a magical effect on the body. Not only do tight hips from years of sitting loosen up and become stronger and more resilient, but it's not uncommon for old shoulder injuries to disappear as overly-mobile shoulders become more stable.

Of course, before using kettlebells or any exercise program, ESPECIALLY with a history of lower back pain or lower back injury, you should do two things:

1. Consult your physician in charge of your pain and/or injury.

2. Find a highly skilled, certified kettlebell instructor to show you how to perform each exercise in the safest, most effective manner possible based on your background. (The best are the RKC - Russian Kettlebell Challenge Instructors - they are the original kettlebell instructor certification. Find one near you here.)

And finally, once you have met the above two criteria, take your time with your kettlebell training. Keep the mindset of "training" - like an athlete trains for an event, instead of "working out." You want to build good movement patterns to get you out of pain - this takes training.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Mechanical Back Pain and Pregnancy - Causes and Treatments


It is believed that about half of all pregnant women will experience back pain, usually in the final trimester, which can last several months post partum. Any woman who has experienced pregnancy can talk at length about pains she's experienced during a pregnancy. These pains can affect daily activities and one's ability to work. Pains due to a change in muscle use and posture can be experienced in the lower back, pelvis, or pubic region, but a lot of these pains can be alleviated with a special brace designed for the pregnant woman. Stretches and mobilizations can be used by your physical therapist to help alleviate pain, exercises and the use of heat or ice may also help the pains associated with the changes in posture due to pregnancy.

Back pain during pregnancy usually develops because of a the physiologic and biomechanical changes that occur during pregnancy. As abdominal muscles are stretched they become ineffective in maintaining a neutral posture. Because of the change in posture, the ligaments and supporting muscles become weak, and the spine loses stability. Just as pain would develop if you were to hold your finger back as far as it would go for a prolonged period of time, so would straining the ligaments in your spine for a prolonged period. This instability is aggravated by a loosening of the ligaments by the hormone relaxin during the last trimester. Relaxin is the hormone secreted to create joint laxity in the sacroiliac joints and symphysis pubis to accommodate the fetus.

Some modalities that would normally be available to a non pregnant person are not advisable on a pregnant individual such as electrotherapeutics. Joint manipulations (or adjustments) and whirlpool are contraindicated. While no evidence exists to show that the fetus would be harmed, it is simply not worth risking. Safer ways of treating back pain during pregnancy are as follows:

  • Heating pad or hot water bottle

  • Massage by a registered massage therapist

  • A supportive belt or brace has been shown to reduce pain while walking

  • Pain medication as recommended by your physician

  • Rest

  • Specific postural exercises as prescribed by your physical therapist

You can avoid back pain and help prevent back pain from worsening by taking the following precautions:

  • Wear low heeled supportive shoes. High heels can accentuate the curvature in your lower back and therefore worsen shearing forces on the lower back and sacrum.

  • If lifting, keep your chest up, tighten your abdominal muscles and lift with your legs

  • Sleep with a pillow between your knees in side lying or, if you can sleep on your back, put a pillow under your knees

  • Sit with a supportive chair, or use a small cushion or rolled towel for extra lumbar support. Elevating one foot while sitting will relieve pain by relaxing the iliopsoas muscles and reducing the curvature in your lower back.

  • If carrying anything, keep it close to your pelvis (your center of gravity) and keep your chest up

5 Tips To Relieve Lower Back Pain


Lower back pain affects thousands of people every day. When suffering the kind of problem like this, you do not have to take the pain lying down. These tips will help you to reduce pain now and make it less likely to return.

Get a massage

A deep tissue massage is a good choice for lower back pain. The massage affects muscles at the surface of the body just below the skin as well as those located deep within the body. During stress or workouts, toxins can build up in the muscles resulting in stiff, sore muscles. The massage releases these toxins, improves circulation and brings blood flow to provide oxygen and nutrients needed for healing. The massage also releases the tension in sore spots on the lower back.

A hot stone massage is another great choice for individuals suffering from it. The warm stones help to improve blood flow while relaxing the muscles. The hot stone massage is an effective means of reducing tension and stress. When held in the muscles of the lower back, tension and stress can lead to these kind of problems.

Try Therapeutic Exercises

Although you may not feel like exercising when your lower back hurts, staying in bed all day and night is one of the worse things you can do. Try gentle stretching to relax and loosen the muscles in the back. Many back pain sufferers turn to Yoga to help keep the body flexible as well as relaxed. If you see a chiropractor for help with the lower back pain, the doctor may offer exercises that help to build the back muscles and prevent future injuries. At the gym, you might try exercises including back pulldowns, reverse flies, seated rows, bent-knee planks and others to strengthen the back muscles.

Put Heat on It

One temporary solution for back pain is the use of heat. A hot bath offers penetrating moist heat that can ease the pain. Careful use of a heating pad can also ease the pain. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's or your doctor's directions in use of a heating pad.

Lose Weight

Losing weight can be a long-term solution to your lower back pain. The physics of the human body allow extra weight around the midsection to put additional stress on the spine. By eating a healthy diet and losing weight, you reduce the stress caused by this problem.

Practice Good Posture

Mom was right, you need to stand and sit up straight. Poor posture can weaken the muscles and result in pain. Corrective posture braces may help to improve the posture, but their use should be limited so that muscles are not weakened even more. Posturepedic chairs and mattresses can help to improve posture when sitting and sleeping.

Low Back Pain Treatment - Is Acupressure Effective As a Low Back Pain Treatment Therapy?


Almost 8 out of 10 people suffer from slipped disks at one time of their lives or another. Some recovered with no further recurrence whilst other experience chronic backache for the rest of their lives. With this burden, some people cannot live the active lifestyle they once have. It is not uncommon to see people becoming depressed, even quitting their job to cope with this lumbago problem.

Sufferers look for low back pain treatment eg. herniated disc treatment or bulging disc treatment or even treatment on their pinched nerve back.There are many treatments available for the sufferer. Back pain medication like painkillers, chiropractic adjustment, lower back pain exercises, massage, acupuncture, acupressure and even surgery.

I personally have suffered from sciatica for 12 years. I have tried every method listed above and I almost had surgery. Surgery, in particular, is a major decision. It is important to know that research studies have been done on how patients fare years after surgery. 2 groups of patients were monitored ie one which had surgery while the other group opt for other treatments. Statistics have shown that 10 years after surgery, the conditions of both sets of patients were similar. In my case, when my specialist advised me for surgery, I actually seek a second opinion. The second doctor had a different approach and told me the above statistics. Although I had L4-L5 Herniated Disc, instead of suggesting surgery, he sent me to a therapy school where I learned all kinds of lower back pain exercises as a low back pain treatment and therapies to strengthen the muscles. Though I improved, my lumbar back pain became chronic.

It was by accident that I discovered acupressure and gave it a shot. It is a natural treatment and unlike acupuncture, no needles are applied on the body. All you do is to identify spots (called acupoints) on various parts of the body and apply acupressure techniques to press on these acupoints. My first treatment lasted only 10 minutes and it gave me immediate pain relief. I felt pain no more. Because I felt so good after the treatment, I did 6 years of intensive research on this natural healing technique. It has since become my low back pain treatment choice.

I have since recovered and have not had any more aching recurrence thanks to the acupressure treatment knowledge that I had. It is simple and easy to learn. Also, it can be self administered. You can do it anytime and anywhere. There are also no drugs, painkillers or special equipment involved. Unlike surgery, it is not invasive.

While this traditional acupressure knowledge is originated from Asia (China, India), it is gaining popularity, slowly but surely.I have since used the same techniques to help different people and all have shown good improvements.

The principle of Acupressure is simple. The body consist of different meridian lines along which lay many acupoints. Energy flows along these meridian lines. Each of these acupoints correspond to a certain part of a body. For example, an acupoint on the toe corresponds to the head. When a person is unwell or stressed, the acupoint will act like a switch and become cloaked with toxics. By pressing these acupoints with certain acupressure techniques, you basically remove these toxics. So, the task here is to treat acupoints that corresponds to the spine. When toxics are removed, the energy flow enhances and the person feels better and recovers from spine problems

So, if you are looking for a natural solution to cure your painful backache problems, acupressure might be right for you to heal your spine problems.

Treat Low Back Pain After Colon Surgery in a Natural Way


Many persons predict colon surgery often look forward to their life getting back to normal once it has healed and for the most part they can look forward to going about their daily routine. However, experiencing low back pain after surgery may also be expected as part of the healing process. While there may be some problems with slight back after surgery caused by epidural anesthesia, the location of the needle entry will stop hurting after a few days.

If you happen to be a sufferer of low back soreness after surgery and want to get relief from back soreness without drugs you can check out a revolutionary method of treating the problem that does not require taking drugs and also will help you get back on your feet. According to the there are more than a options available to get rid of low pain after colon surgery.

Trouble Is Increased: Low Back Pain after Colon surgery

When you encounter a back ache after colon treatment, it usually means your problem has not come to an end. If you have back ache, you will not to be able to eat or you have to take some kind of digestion aid, such as an antacid. Similarly, you know that back ache usually means you overexerted yourself or bent a way you weren't intended to bend. However, when low pain occurs after surgery you should never ignore the symptoms. It can give rise to digestion problems, acid reflux, or it could mean you have nerve damage. If you do encounter both together, don't hesitate to see a doctor immediately.

While consulting your doctor, he or she will want to know about the pain you're experiencing. Explain the pain exactly as you feel it. Is it a sharp soreness, as if someone was stabbing you with a sharp stick, or is it a dull, recurring pain? Does the pain get worse when you sneeze or cough, does it keep you from sleeping, or does your stomach and back go away and come back with any kind of regularity? These are just a few of the questions your doctor will ask you before he or she examines you with a physical.

Pain Free Way of Avoiding Low Back Pain after Colon surgery:

Now day's herbal medicines are available to go away with low back pain [http://www.backpainreliefhelp.com/Back_Pain_Medication/What_Back_Pain_Medication_Can_Help_You?.php] after colon surgery. The advantage of using such a means to get relief from low pain after surgery is that the treatment is not at all painful and once you have started progressing, you will definitely progress. Though you may not get compensated from your medical insurance, the cost of such a method of getting relief from low back ache after surgery is worth while.

Sciaitica Exercises To Avoid Or Else


Want to eliminate your sciatica pain with sciatica exercises? Fine, but before you do, be very careful as these exercises could make your condition even worse. There are many types of sciatica exercises performed by millions of people every year, all to relieve that debilitating sciatica nerve pain that sometimes starts in the lower back and radiates down one of your legs. In the rest of this article I will inform you as to which are the sciatica exercises to avoid.

First of all and very important to note is to remember is that any exercise that causes pressure in the lumbar spine should be avoided altogether. If you suffer from sciatica pain in the back and legs, each episode of heavy hamstring muscle stretching and toning should be avoided. These muscle stretches not only puts pressure on the back part of your thigh, but will also stretches the sciatic nerve root or root ending. A stretching program of the sciatic nerve root ending in the back of the thigh can cause severe damage, so it should always be avoided at all costs.

When one has a problem with sciatica pain, abdominal exercises and stretches should also best be avoided. Abdominal crunches are well-known to put out excessive demands within the spinal column and may cause extreme irritability in the nerve fibers or nerve endings. These things should be carried out only after the warning signs or symptoms of sciatica nerve pain disappear. Standing body leg squats with dumbbells on shoulder muscles should also be shunned at all costs. In this type of exercise, the burden rests on the top of the spine, leading to an exert pressure on the spinal discs and the entire spinal column. This can be as a result of a pinched nerve and hernia. This leads to the most frequent indicator of soreness that radiates to the buttocks and lower limbs. Total spine compression is also brought on by the weight of the dumbbells. For much more on this and to find out more about workouts for sciatica leg pain, just Google it as there are tons of resources on the subject on the internet.

Finally, weight lifting without the proper assistance or support can cause lumbar region injuries and may also often lead to sciatic nerve pain. It's better to stick with low impact workouts that don't put any stress on the backbone. For sciatica pain relief, it is extremely crucial to bolster the lower back muscles. Obviously, there are many advanced exercises, but if you plan on trying advanced sciatica exercises, please consult with your doctor first. Advanced sciatica exercises ought to be very carefully chosen by your health care professional before you undertake them. You'll have to be mindful that it doesn't exert pressure on your back, buttocks and lower leg or else, you are destined to make your condition worse.

Can Back Exercises for Lower Back Pain Help?


Back pain is most typically identified by soreness, discomfort and stiffness in the back.

The symptoms include pain in the muscles, pain radiating down the leg, limited range of motion of the back and the inability to sit or stand for long periods of time.

There are several possible causes for acute or chronic back pain.

These are:

  • Straining of the muscles and ligaments in this area, due to poor posture

  • Injury to inter-vertebral disks

  • Herniated disks

  • Natural aging, and

  • Osteoarthritis

Low back pain is very common amongst adults who lead a sedentary lifestyle - particularly if they also have poor posture, and spend a typical working week sitting slouched at a desk.

There are many treatment options such as oral painkillers, steroids, injections, massages and back exercises that can help in treating back pain.

The type of treatment depends upon the cause of the pain. However, back exercises for lower back pain are the most effective measure for treatment, as well as pain prevention.

Special exercises can help to strengthen the muscles of back, stomach and legs. They will focus on training different muscle groups to compensate for the ones that have been damaged.

Some of the effective back exercises for pain in the lower back are:

1. Knee to Chest exercise: To do this exercise, lie down on a mat with your legs stretched. Bend your right knee and bring it close to your chest. Hold it there for 15 seconds and then slowly move it back on the mat. Repeat this exercise with left leg. This exercise can help in relieving the stress on your lower back.

2. Stretching exercise: To do this exercise, lie flat on your back on the floor with your knees bent and your feet on the floor. Allow your knees to fall slightly to the right, as far as is comfortable, and then straighten them up again. Do the same stretch to the right, and repeat twice more each side, or as much as you feel able to.

3. Squats: Can help in relieving back pain by strengthening the buttocks.

4. Back extension exercise: To do a form of this exercise, lie on the bed on your front, with your arms and head hanging comfortably off the edge. Now allow your neck to completely relax and fall forward, gently stretching out your spine.

Gradually come back to the normal parallel position and then repeat.

These exercises, along with cardio, swimming and other aerobic exercises can not only help bring about a speedy recovery from pain, but also increase overall fitness levels.

NOTE: It's important to check with your doctor or health professional before carrying out any exercise routine if you are suffering with back pain.

Exercises for Nurses to Control Back Pain


Industrial studies have shown that nursing has the second highest incidence of all types of non-fatal work-related injuries in the United States. The main factors contributing to back injury and/or back pain for healthcare professionals are lifting or transferring patients and bed-making. In hospitals, nurses working on orthopedic floors, in operating rooms and in the ER are at the greatest risk for occupational injury.

Once a back injury or back pain has occurred muscular stretching and toning is an important part of the healing process. A serious strength and training routine for the back should be faithfully executed as soon as the back is no longer inflamed and painful. Muscular strengthening exercises are important once the back irritation has subsided to help build stability in weak tissue. However, muscles can become damaged further if strengthening exercises are started premature to the healing of the injured area.

It is also equally important to follow a muscular strength and toning regime before back pain or injury occurs. It is important to keep in mind that the body's musculoskeletal system is all connected. Muscles do not act independently, so in order to stretch and strengthen the back muscles it is also necessary to stretch and strengthen the muscles connected to the back, i.e. the shoulders, neck, arm, hip, thigh, calf and foot muscles. When exercising it is not necessary to feel the stretch in the back itself. For instance, stretching the hamstring loosens the leg muscles, but also takes the strain off the back without directly exercising the back area.

Muscle stretching is a very important element in the healing of most stressed back muscles. Strengthening and lengthening shortened back muscles is essential in preventing further back injury, especially for nurses who go back to work and immediately return to the same tasks that initially caused the back strain.

Talking to a doctor before undertaking an exercise program is recommended. The most effective exercise regimes for back pain are specifically designed for individual cases. Most people who experience back pain find relief from the pain in one of two ways; either by sitting, where the back and hips are in a flexed position, or by standing, where back and hips are extended.

Exercise should be geared toward movements that place the body in the most comfortable position to be of positive effect. For people who find sitting to be an alleviating position, flexion exercises that bend the body forward such as knee to chest movements and sit-ups or curl-ups are recommended. Flexion exercises stretch the back and strengthen the stomach and abdominal muscles.

For those in which standing is the most comfortable position, i. e. usually those with herniated discs, extension exercises which stretch the tissue in the front of the spine are usually more effective. Press up back exercises such as those recommended by Australian doctor Robert MacKenzie often can bring fairly immediate relief from back pain. Back bridges can also serve to strengthen lower back muscles.

Aerobic exercise is recommended to make the heart and other muscles that use oxygen function more efficiently and remain healthier. Aerobic exercise includes walking, swimming or walking in waist-deep water. For those with current back pain, non-weight bearing exercises like those done in water or while swimming are beneficial. Walks should be kept short and easy, avoiding inclines and rough terrain. It is helpful to do aerobic exercise every day.

In addition to the appropriate flexion or extension exercises the following exercises can help prevent or reduce pain:

Aerobic exercise
Prone buttocks squeeze
Pelvic tilts
Hamstring Stretch
Hip flexor stretch
Wall sits

If low back pain is present, there are some exercises that can aggravate back injury and accompanying pain. It is best to avoid the following exercises:

Straight leg sit-ups
Bent leg or partial sit-ups if acute back pain is present
Lifting both legs while lying on the back
Toe touches while standing.

One often forgotten aide to help prevent back pain, or if injury and pain is already present, is to always wear a nursing shoe with a broad heel for good stability and good support through the arches. A tie shoe that can be tightened with the laces as the shoe stretches is ideal. Comfort should be a priority when choosing shoes. Nursing shoes with run down heels should be replaced as they can result in improper alignment of ankles, knees and hips, making the body more susceptible to injury.

Remember, it is important to work all the connected areas of the body when strengthening the back. Exercise and staying active can make the body less susceptible to occupational injury and may relieve back pain and speed recovery from back injury. Strong stomach, back and leg muscles support the spine better, reducing pressure on the spinal discs and lessening the chances of occupational back injury.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

A Diet For Lower Back Pain


Back pain is among the most common health problems. It is the leading cause of job-related disability, the second most common cause of missed work days, and the leading cause of disability in people aged 18 to 45. Pain in the lower back is most likely to occur between the ages of 30 and 50, during the most productive period of most people's lives.

Fortunately, most cases of lower back disability are self-limited. That is, they go away no matter how they are treated. For some people the pain becomes chronic, meaning it is does not go away and causes problems indefinitely.

Lower back pain usually develops over a period of years from accumulated abuses of the spine, many of which are not painful when they are incurred. Even when there is a single identifiable acute injury that causes the lower back to hurt, the overall condition of the back, not just the condition of the spine, determines speed of recovery and whether pain becomes permanent.

Nutritional supplements do not have a direct or immediate on pain. They prevent further injury to bone. Over the course of months and years, this reduces back and related pains, but you will not see immediate results.

Is there a food that can give you fast relief from pain? Actually, there are two: Almost any entree made with ginger and/or a peppery food (chili sauce, hot salsa, curry) will offer you a slight amount of relief. For long-term improvement of pain in the back, however, you will do best to follow the bone-building guidelines for any good diet for osteoporosis.

3 Common Postural Mistakes That Cause Back Pain


For many people, posture correction is a key component of back pain treatment. Posture - the way we hold ourselves when sitting, standing or laying - can either help protect our backs or be the cause of its pain. The tension and alignment of our soft tissues and joints are affected by posture and the lower back, both highly mobile and load-bearing, is perhaps most affected by poor posture.

Are you making any of the following common postural mistakes?

Anterior Pelvic Tilt

Since the pelvis is the foundation of the upper body, its position affects and is affected by the position of the lower back. The lumbar spine in the lower back has a natural inward arch that helps balance the forces absorbed by the spine. The inward arch is called lordosis. Often, people have too much lordosis. As the arch increases, the base of the spine is pulled upward. The base of the spine is the sacrum, which attaches to the hip bones via the sacroiliac joints. This causes the back of the pelvis to raise and the front of the pelvis to drop lower.

Anterior pelvic tilt is most often caused by muscle imbalances; tense lower back and weak hamstring and glute muscles can cause the pelvis to be pulled up in back, while tight quads and hip flexors pull it down in front without sufficient counter-force from weak abdominal muscles. This may result from imbalanced training or from simply standing and sitting with an increased arch for years. Wearing high heels, being overweight and being pregnant all predispose a person to anterior pelvic tilt.

It is important to correct this postural distortion, as it takes a toll on spinal discs, joints and the muscles throughout the pelvis and back. You may require myofascial release if muscle tension has begun to cause knots in the myofascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles). Exercise to target the abdominal, glute and hamstring muscles will be helpful in conjunction with efforts to relax the tight opposing muscles.

To see if you have anterior pelvic tilt, stand with your back against a wall, making sure your buttocks and shoulders are touching the wall. If there is more than a two-inch gap between your lower back and the wall, you may have hyperlordosis.

Forward Head

This type of postural dysfunction is on the rise due to the proliferation of small electronic devices like iPhones and our increasing reliance on them. Forward head posture is just what is sounds like: The head is positioned in front of the body's mid-line. Ideally, the head is supported by the neck directly over the shoulders. This position maintains the cervical arch within the neck and keeps neck, upper back and shoulder muscles at the appropriate length.

When the head is positioned in front of the body, its weight is no longer balanced on the spine. Rather, the upper back and neck muscles must support it. In order to look straight ahead with forward head, the muscles in the back of your neck must shorten and the cervical arch increases. This can lead to muscular pain, myofascial pain, premature cervical disc wear, cervical joint degeneration and tension headaches.

Often when people crane their heads forward, they are trying to get closer to what they're looking at. Consciousness of this tendency combined with efforts to counter it, such as raising objects closer to your face, can help to reverse forward head. Myofascial release and stretching exercises will help to relax tight neck and upper back muscles.

Slouching

We are all likely guilty of slouching at times. Some slouch when they stand or walk, and this postural mistake is particularly common when sitting. Slouching occurs when the upper back rounds out, the shoulders droop forward and the lower back flattens. Often, forward head accompanies slouching. The spine is a unit, and changes in one area are often reflected by changes in another.

A leading cause of slouching is core muscle weakness. The muscles of the lower back, pelvis, buttocks and stomach are relied upon to support spinal alignment and uprightness of the upper body. If these muscles aren't working to do these jobs, the spine will round out and the upper body will sag. Your chances of slouching increase with the amount of time you spend in a sitting or standing position; even the strongest of cores tires out eventually.

One way to counteract slouching is to consciously engage your core muscles when sitting or standing. Focus on your deep abdominal muscles and gently engage them. These muscles support the lower spine. Doing balanced core exercises such as bird dogs, bridges, partial crunches and planks will help to correct slouching. As with other forms of postural distortions, myofascial release may be needed in addition to stretching in order to relax muscles that have been chronically tensed by habitual slouching.

Being aware of common postural mistakes will help prevent you from making them. You can reduce or eliminate back pain by holding your body in proper alignment.

Lower Back Pain While Standing Up - Improving Posture


If there is pain in your lower back, then there are very good chances of something being wrong with your posture. Some of the cause for this improper posture could be slouching on the chair while sitting, slouching while standing or walking, etc. We would, in this article, look at some of the ways to cure this problem arising out of postures and standing up for long hours.

It is very important that one stands properly or is erect while walking. Lots of stretching exercises are also recommended for this problem. Try stretching exercises whenever you get the time or the space. Just ensure that you are on an empty stomach before going with these exercises.

These exercises will help you get rid of the unwanted fat and toxins that you might have built up in your body due to improper posture that might have added up to the pain. These stretches might not come naturally to you but it is important that you get used to them. If you are not able to stretch properly or feel some discomfort and pain, then it is advisable to stop these stretching exercises and try something else.

The lower back is the most active part of our body and it is one portion which carries and bears a lot of weight. Therefore it is only normal that you get pain in that region more than often. Sitting or continuous standing creates lot of pressure on this part of the body and that finally results in pain and aches. Therefore, it is very important that you try to relax your body especially your lower back as much as possible.

Lying down for some time during breaks or eight to nine hours of sound sleeping will definitely help a lot in curing this problem. Try to give some support to your back whenever you are sleeping or sitting with a cushion with some other soft pads.

Lower Back Pain When Standing Up Straight Causes and Solutions


One common back problem that people can experience is lower back pain when standing up straight. This is something that strikes the majority of people at some point or another during their lives, and can affect different areas of the back such as the lower region, the upper area, and toward the sides. Some of the causes of lower back pain can be relatively simple, and can therefore be easily dealt with to alleviate the discomfort, whereas others may be more serious and may need medical attention.

This type of back problem can occur for a number of reasons. It could be something as simple as having slept uncomfortably or the way that you carry yourself in terms of your posture, to something that may require medical attention such as an injury that has been sustained or an underlying problem relating to the spine, such as a trapped nerve or slipped disc. If the pain continues for a matter of days without subsiding then you should always seek medical advice, as this will allow the root problem of your pain to be explored.

Some of the causes of lower back pain

A number of causes can contribute toward this type of pain, and whatever the reason the discomfort that comes with this problem can be significant and debilitating. This is why it is important to get the issue sorted out if you notice ongoing pains when you try and stand up straight.

Some causes of lower back pain when standing can be more obvious than others, such as having sustained an injury or slept in an awkward position. However, others can be less obvious, and this is why you may need to seek medical help. Some of the possible causes of this type of pain include:

  • An injury that has been sustained

  • Trapped nerve in the lower back

  • Slipped disc

  • Tightened muscles

  • Trauma to lower back (e.g. such as those sustained in a car accident or by a sudden jolt to the body)

If there is no obvious reason why your back continues to hurt when you try and stand up you should make an appointment to see your doctor, and this will help to ensure that the problem and the pain is sorted out as quickly as possible.

Use stretches to ease the discomfort

Using stretching exercises to help alleviate the discomfort can prove very effective for many people, and this can help you in a number of ways. Some of the ways in which stretching can help include loosening the muscles, improving mobility, increasing flexibility, easing strain and tension, and improving blood flow and circulation. All of this can help to alleviate the pain and discomfort for those that experience lower back pain when standing up straight.

Pilates Can Have Some Drawbacks When Used for Low Back Pain


The Pilates method of exercise has become increasingly popular over the last few years. While many enthusiasts are touting the benefits of using Pilates in a well-rounded exercise program and indeed, there is nothing better for strengthening the core muscle groups, there are certain limitations to the program. Pilates is good for most people who suffer from back problems or depression, it is not appropriate for those who cannot participate in a rigorous exercise program.

The Limitations of Pilates:

1. Some exercise junkies lament the fact that Pilates do not build muscle mass. If large bulky muscles are your goal, you will not achieve them with Pilates. While although this exercise program involves skeletal and muscular involvement, with high resistance and stretching, it will not build increasingly larger muscles, but rather it lengthens and elongates muscles.

2. Some critics of Pilates also point of the fact that there are no cardiovascular benefits to Pilates in its original form. The exercise enthusiast will have to supplement the Pilates program of core and posture strengthening with cardio exercises for a more well-rounded or complete workout.

3. It is against most doctor's advice for people suffering from Ostergenesis Imperfecta, Osteoporosis, Paget's Disease, and Osteomalacia or any other bone disease to participate in Pilates exercises. It would be better for those with these diseases to choose other strength-building exercises.

4. Some critics of today's Pilates programs point out that Pilates instructors nowadays are using exercises and equipment not originally designed by Joseph Pilates, the founder of the program. Critics say that this decreases the authenticity of the program and that by using nonapproved exercises and equipment, the proponents of the program today have actually committed fraud for profit.

5. Joseph Pilates originally developed the Pilates program over 70 years ago as physical therapy to help his patients recover from illnesses and injuries. However, these methods used in Pilates may not be appropriate for today's physical therapy needs.

6. While Pilates has claimed to cause its practitioners to develop longer and leaner muscles, its claims of adding height to its participants cannot be substantiated. In addition, it has been found that any strength building, low impact program that uses repetition and balance will yield the same results to the core if targeting those muscles.

7. Although some Pilates trainers have claimed that using Pilates will reduce the threat of hyperthrophic muscle disease, there has been no hard evidence that Pilates can prevent this or indeed any disease.

8. The Pilates equipment has been targeted by Pilates critics as distinctive, but not quite unique, having been copied long ago from other pre-existing exercise equipment. For example, the low chair looks like a staking pommel; the high chair looks like a pommel. The pedipull could be said to look somewhat like a pulley machine and so on.

9. Pilates requires the participant to use controlled movements that employ balancing and strength. These exercises are said to be original and innovative, but critics report that Pilates are hardly pioneering, saying that it is derived from several exercise programs.

If you decide to add Pilates to your exercise routine or any other exercise program, you need to first consult a physician and consider your overall health to know whether or not adding the exercises would be beneficial for you or not.

Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy: Causes and Treatments


Lower back pain during pregnancy - especially during the last trimester - is a very common condition. As your belly grows, the extra weight added to the front of the body can become quite hard on the lower back, since the muscles and ligaments have more work to do to support the body. Back pain in pregnancy can be very uncomfortable, and can affect the woman's sleep patterns and daily activity level. Often this lower back pain an radiate to the upper back, or even shoulders.

What Causes Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy?

The most common and obvious reasons for lower back pain during pregnancy is the added weight being carried in the front as the baby grows. This gradual increase in weight in the belly can put pressure on the lower back muscles and ligaments. The added weight in the front can throw off a pregnant woman's posture, which can further complicate matters and cause further pain and discomfort. Many pregnant women in this position tend to try to counter this altered weight distribution by arching their back and putting their pelvis forward in order to offset this imbalance.

Pregnant women may also develop lumbar back discomfort from excessive and prolonged sitting and/or standing. Because of this shift in the distribution of body weight, standing or sitting for too long can aggravate the condition.

It is important for pregnant women who are getting close to their due date to distinguish between lower back pain from muscular tension and actual labor pain. Many women experience "back labor", in which a majority of the pain they feel during all stages of labor is felt predominantly in the back. With general back discomfort, the pain can start from the lumbar area and then spread to the upper back. During labor, the back pain felt will stay near the bottom, and radiate around to the front of the abdominal area.

Treatment and Remedies For Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy

Treatment for this condition generally involves being conscious of certain postures that are assumed, and adjusting them accordingly. For example, pregnant women really should not be standing for long periods of time, since that added weight in the front will put the back muscles under unnecessary strain. Sitting in a certain position for too long is not a good idea either, unless constant adjustments are made while the pregnant women is sitting. When laying down, it is best to lie on your side in order for the weight to be distributed away from the spine.

If the pain is severe and unbearable, one should seek medical attention for more invasive treatment options.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Back Pain Exercise: Yoga


Developed over 5,000 years ago, yoga is one of the best time-tested forms of back pain exercise. Yoga is not only a strength-building program; it uses postures called poses to stretch muscles, elongate the spine and build strength. Well-known benefits of yoga include strengthening the core muscles, increasing flexibility, correcting bad posture, elevating mood and increasing focus.

Much of the back pain people experience today is the result of well-established habits. Sitting for hours a day in front of a computer or desk with bad posture creates muscle tension and rigidity. Years of poor posture can distort the spine's curvature, causing back pain and possible disc and joint damage. Correcting bad posture should, then, be one of the goals of back pain exercise.

Many of the poses assumed during yoga target the core muscles that are responsible for supporting the spine and balancing the whole body. A strong core allows you to maintain correct posture throughout the day. This prevents or corrects strain on the lower back muscles, which support the upper body's weight alone if the muscles in the stomach, pelvis and buttocks are not assisting.

Lower back pain can be caused by tension in the muscles of the hips, particularly the hip flexors. These muscles are shortened when we sit, and become rigid if we do not stretch them frequently. Yoga offers a variety of hip opening stretches designed to alleviate hip tension, which in turn eliminates pull on the lower back muscles.

There are a few popular misconceptions about yoga that may cause some to think it is outside their realm of possibility. One is that all forms of yoga require meditation. While mental energy in the form of focus and concentration is a central component of yoga, there are a number of types of yoga whose focus is on strength-building rather than meditation. If you have trouble clearing your head, this does not mean there is not a yoga form for you. See http://www.matsmatsmats.com/yoga/yoga-disciplines.html for descriptions of popular yoga forms.

Another misconception is that yoga practitioners must be as flexible as contortionists. The purpose of any kind of lesson is to instill knowledge or capacity that is not already possessed. Yoga will increase your flexibility, but you do not need to be flexible to begin yoga lessons. There is a variety of levels available to suit people of different capacities.

Yoga is a well-rounded, whole-body approach to back pain exercise. Its attention to the whole body is critical, since back pain can be caused by a problem in another part of the body, such as the hips or legs. People with chronic back pain should consult a medical professional before embarking upon an exercise program, and should pursue yoga under the guidance of a qualified instructor.

For those who just began experiencing lower back pain and stiffness, or those who wish to avoid it, beginner's yoga is a safe and effective program. You can read testimonials from people who have tried yoga at http://anmolmehta.com/blog/2008/09/26/benefits-of-yoga-stories/. This page also has a link to free online courses. If you are unable to access instructed classes, this gives you another option. As with any form of exercise, if you feel pain, stop.

Far more than just a back pain exercise, yoga practice can improve your quality of life in a variety of ways. It can easily be worked into today's hectic lifestyle, since a few sessions a week are enough to produce results. Once you have been trained to perform poses with correct posture and breathing, you can practice alone on your own time at home. History, testimonials and, more recently, studies have supported the efficacy of yoga. Experience the benefits for yourself.

Right Side Upper Back Pain - How To Obtain Relief


Back pains can be very aggravating. The soreness may be found in the upper or lower portion of the back. The tenderness found in between the lower back and the neck and where the spinal column connects with the ribs commonly referred to as right side upper back pain. The muscles become worn-out and the ligaments are frayed. The muscle might become taut and rigid. The manifestations vary for each individual. A patient may have muscular contraction. Some might experience twinges in the muscles. Upper body movements can set off the pain in specific spots of the upper back. Neck and shoulder movement or even a touch on the affected parts may activate the right side upper back pain. The pain might even shoot up to the right shoulder blade.

Right side upper back pain is caused by different factors. These may be due to a misalignment or dislocation of rib joints, muscle strain, the joining of a disc or facet to the cervical spine, incorrect posture or referred pains from organ dysfunctions. Severe and razor-sharp pain can be felt in the right side upper back of the body.

Misalignment or dislocation of joints can bring about jagged pain which can be felt even if a person just takes a deep breath. Strained muscles are usually due to excessive repetitive movement, extended use of or heavy demands on the muscles. A throbbing soreness on the other hand can be felt if a patient suffers from right side upper back pain resulting from poor posture. A person who spends an extended period of time doing computer work might encounter this type of problem especially if he has poor posture. Since the movements of a person who constantly work on the computer are repetitive and tedious, the strain is usually on the same set of muscles causing it to overwork thus the persistent pain. Referred pains from some organ dysfunction also produce right side upper back pains or thoracic spine. This is especially true if a patient suffers from disorders in the stomach, spleen, heart, gallstone, and pancreas and so on.

Treatment for right side upper back pain would also vary depending on its cause. The medical practitioner has to identify the root of the right side upper back pain and treat it accordingly. Some medical practitioners may recommend traditional ways of handling the pain such as anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, ice packs or stretching exercises. Other kinds of strenuous exercises are to be avoided to refrain from causing more damage or strain on the muscles. Chiropractic care can also alleviate the pain by employing methods such as mild pumping or putting moderate pressure on the affected parts thus separating and treating the right side upper back pain. This is also known as the flexion distraction technique.

It is recommended that a patient who suffers from right side upper back pain must consult a competent medical practitioner for a thorough physical examination to determine the exact cause of the problem. Without proper medical care and attention, right side upper back pain might worsen and leave the patient incapacitated.