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Back Pain Products to Help My Back Pain

If you suffer lower back pain, you are not on your own. Probably nearly all adults at some point in their lives will experience this condition that interferes with their work eg there is a high incidence of lumbar pain in drivers, everyday activities, sports (eg lumbar pain in golfers) or hobbies. Lower back pain or sciatica is considered the most common cause of job-related disability and the highest contributor to absenteeism in the western world. For example, it is second to headaches as the most common neurological ailment in the United States. Generally, most occurrences of lower back pain or lumbar pain subside after a few days, although some instances may take much longer to resolve or very occasionally lead to more serious conditions. Short-term pain (Acute) generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks, and this condition tends to be mechanical in nature, the consequence of trauma to the lower back or a condition such as arthritis. Back pain from trauma may be caused by an injury sustained through sports activity, household jobs or working in the garden. Sometimes, sudden jarring from a minor fall, or other stress on the lower back bones and tissues could be the root cause of low lumbar pain or sciatica. Symptoms of lumbar pain may range from aching muscles to shooting or sharp stabbing pain, limited flexibility and/or range of motion, or an inability to stand straight. Sometimes, pain felt in one part of the body may stem from a disorder or injury incurred in other parts of the body. Very occasionally acute low back pain syndromes could become more serious if untreated. Definitions of what period or duration constitutes chronic back pain vary but pain that persists for over 12 weeks would generally be described as chronic.

Often the initial cause of the back problem is not known and this condition can sometimes be progressive The good news is that the vast majority of occurrences can be treated without surgery. Back pain treatments include analgesics, to reduce inflammation, to restoring proper mobility and strength to the back, by a variety of back pain products and therapies, to strategies for the avoidance of recurrence of the injury. Usually patients suffering lumbar pain recover fully and don't incur continuing loss of functionality. It's advisable to contact your GP if there is no improvement or reduction in the back pain and inflammation after 3 days There is a plethora of exercises, medication, or therapy products and gadgets available to sufferers, designed to provide either, relief, prevention or both. Although some of these back pain products (such as Magnatherapy or aromatherapy) would be described as 'alternative' or pseudoscientific ie they have few empirically or scientifically proven benefits, many are developed through the application of sound medical principle and theory. It's worthwhile asking your GP for recommendations on any therapies as well as making sure that the cause is not more serious

Back pain therapy devices PGAT devices

Inversion Tables

Inversion is a natural form of passive gravity assisted traction (PGAT) that uses the patient's body weight in conjunction with gravity to decompress weight-bearing joints. While the patient is rotated and suspended, gravity effectively creates a traction, resulting in a customized stretch that extends the spine, from the sacroiliac to the cervical joints of the neck, increasing the space between the vertebrae, which relieves the pressure on the discs and nerve roots. By reducing this pressure there is less interference with the spinal nerves thus reducing lower lumbar pain. Inversion is considered to be an effective therapy This is typically performed on what's called an inversion table. The table allows you to lie on your back relaxed, in an inverted position. This position eliminates some or all gravitational compression, depending upon how far back you position your body. Inversion therapy relieves back pain, and it works even better when it's part of a well-rounded therapy plan that addresses the specific muscle imbalances you have. But even by itself it is highly effective. A recent study done at Newcastle University found that over 70% of patients who performed inversion therapy were able to cancel their scheduled back surgeries.

LumbaCurve

LumbaCurve is a new effective lower back pain therapy product which may help to reduce disc compression, exercise and mobilise the muscles, joints and ligaments of the spine all at the same time. Painstakingly designed over 6 years in the UK and the Netherlands, this ingenious back pain therapy device combines both Western and Eastern therapy techniques. LumbaCurve incorporates specific shaping and design features which attempt to simulate a range of both occidental physiotherapy / chiropractic, and oriental acupressure techniques employed in mechanical lower back pain relief. LumbaCurve gently stretches the lower back, causing the vertebral discs to separate. This in turn relaxes the discs and frees up the spinal nerves, thus giving low back pain relief. LumbaCurve's design features also provide the benefits of shiatsu stimulation, yogic stretch, and acupressure massage from traditional oriental medicine. LumbaCurve is a is simplicity itself to use. Just lie on your back, slide it under your lumbar area, relax, and perform a few easy exercises.Manufactured in the UK, LumbaCurve comes with an instructional DVD of exercise routines.

CPM Mobilisers

Backlife

Backlife is designed to apply a Continuous Passive Movement (CPM) to the lower back pain sufferer in a similar way to how a healthcare professional, as part of his back pain therapy, would apply in order to help relieve pressure between the vertebrae, and therefore relieve pain in the lumbar region. In order to apply CPM the user would lie on the floor bending their knees over the upper section of the machine. As the upper section moves, it gently rotates the pelvis in a circular fashion, allowing the joints to move, whilst the joints remain relaxed. The advertised benefits of Backlife for pain relief are that it reduces the stress and pressure on the lower back, restores back mobility and improves stability. In addition it reduces lumbar pain with regular use, improves posture, and reduces muscle tension.

Back in action Mobiliser

The Back in Action Mobiliser is an extremely powerful medical grade spinal joint mobilisation system, available for home or professional use for back pain relief. It's described as usually very effective at decreasing the symptoms of long term and chronic musculo-skeletal problems. The system applies very localised pressure to the muscles either side of the spine, simulating a practitioners 'thumbing technique,whilst mobilising the spine, flexing and extending the spine, freeing up stubborn vertebrae. In addition to this the mobilise provides a continuous passive motion (CPM) considered to be beneficial to health and aid healing The mobilise has been used to treat conditions such as: lumbago; prolapse /slipped disc, sciatica; scoliosis, arthritic hips, sacro-iliac dysfunction, whiplash injuries; fibromyalgia and many other disabling conditions. It is also comprehensively tested and endorsed by medics, so that it is probably the most commended back pain therapy care system available. Its most significant disadvantage is that it is made in small numbers and is expensive to buy however they are available to hire.

Backstretcher

The Backstretcher, also known as the Rolastretcher provides relief with a combination of massage and stretching movements, allowing the user to move and stretch different parts of the spine by moving up and down the frame. The rollers also provide pressure (acupressure) on the back muscles either side of the spine where dysfunctional trigger points (knots) often occur. It provides back pain sufferers the opportunity to complement their therapeutic treatment with a device, which is portable, The effectiveness of this device has been confirmed by scientific study by the University of Iowa's Spine Centre.

Flexibak

Flexibak is back support cradle that is designed to ease lower back pain problems, reduce discomfort, and promote relief, by decompression of key joints, allowing natural movement to return to the user. Flexibak, developed by 2 leading British osteopaths, is designed to encourage the lumbar and sacroiliac joints to open up, and encourage the return of natural movement as pressure on inflamed muscles is relieved.

Back cushions and wedges and Supports Cushions

Back cushions

These are custom shaped soft cushions which are tailored to the natural shape of the user's lower back and designed to offer support whilst maintaining an ergonomic and comfortable posture whilst sat on a chair or in the car, thus providing an element of relief for low back pain.

Seat wedges

Seat wedges provide lumbar pain relief in a natural passive manner. Sitting on a seat wedge has the effect of moving forward the pelvis which has the effect of causing the users spine to adopt a more ergonomically correct upright posture. Seat wedges maybe useful for lumbar pain suffering car drivers by angling their backs into more comfortable driving positions, or in sedentary workplace situations where the back pain sufferer may be adopting a suiting position for several hours, for example call centre workers. Ideal for everybody working in a sitting position, especially PC users. A variant of the seat wedge is the coccyx wedge which incorporates a cut away section to reduce or avoid pressure on the sacrum or coccyx which could be causing lower back pain or tail bone pain.

Back Braces

These aim to constrict the affected area of low back pain low afflicted area, these strap-on body braces help reduce lower back pain and help to correct poor posture.

TENS units

TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is the application of electric current produced by a device to stimulate the nerves for therapeutic purposes. In this case we are referring to portable stimulators used to help with back pain. The unit is usually connected to the skin using two or more electrodes or semi adhesive pads. Although the first units developed in the US for testing tolerance of chronic back pain sufferers to electrical stimulation in preparation for surgically invasive implants, many patients reported deriving relief from the TENS itself. A number of companies began manufacturing TENS units after the commercial success of the Meditronic device became known TENS is regarded as a non-invasive, safe nerve stimulation intended to reduce pain, both acute and chronic. Controversy does exist over its effectiveness in treating of chronic back pain. In 2007 a feature in the Pain Journal concluded that ENS was effective for chronic musculoskeletal pain whereas the journal Neurology advised against recommending TENS for chronic lower back pain,but other neurologists in the same journal suggested that in some patients TENS is useful. TENS units available from high street retailers Baxolve offers immediate relief for lower back pain through a combination of TENS therapy and lumbar support in one easy to use convenient belt.

Heat and cold back pain products

There is little empirical evidence that the application of hot and cold compresses actually effectively relieve back pain conditions, although the use of hot and cold compresses may provide relief by helping to reduce the lower back pain, spasms, and inflammation, in turn allowing for improved mobility for some back pain sufferers. Immediately after the trauma, the sufferer would apply a cold compress (generally ice packs or refrigerant gel) to the affected area of the lower back pain, maybe after a strain, for up to about 20 minutes a few time a day, for a couple of days to help reduce tissue inflammation. After a couple of days the back pain sufferer would then apply heat to the affected area, using a variety of methods such as heat pads, heat lamps etc for short durations. This has the effect of dilating the blood vessels which increase blood flow to the affected tissues, and encouraging the healing process. It also has the effect of relaxing the muscles similar to having a warm bath after exertion. As with any back pain treatment it's advisable to consult your GP before commencing a treatment. See a range at Back Pain Products

Magnet therapy Magnet therapy can be described as an alternative or pseudoscientific method of back pain treatment, using magnetic fields on the body to promote back pain relief and healing, with a perceived, though not understood positive effect on blood oxygen content. There is no scientific basis to conclude that small, static magnets can relieve pain It has its origins in Traditional Oriental Medicine (TOM) dating back some 2000 years, centered around 'Chi'or 'energy flows' around the body and instrumental in health and wellbeing, with magnetic wave therapy having associations with acupuncture or and acupressure. Although it is regarded with an element of scepticism due to seemingly physical and biological implausibility, in Eastern countries, therapeutic magnets are licensed as medical devices, and it does appear to be gaining some recognition within the US medical community, with an example of affirmative research of published in the MDBR Journal of Rheumatology. The downside to this is the difficulty associated with establishing true blind testing of magnets and associated 'placebo or Hawthorne' effects within test groups. By all means have a look at what's available but remain sceptical.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is often used as a method of pain relief by physios and therapists in combination with other pain treatments, such as manipulation, massage, ice treatment and interferential (electrotherapy). The ultrasound device causes millions of sound waves to penetrate deep into tissue in order to promote healing of inflamed or damaged muscles, tendons and ligaments. It's claimed that ultrasound can reduce tissue inflammation by stimulating blood flow, promote healing by stimulating soft tissue, and assist in the absorbtion uf analgesics, and reduce pain. Again there is conflict over the effectiveness for lower back pain treatment with both positive user testimonials offset by inconclusive meta analysis. See Physical Therapy article Jul 2001 and New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy Jul 2008

Ultralieve

Ultralieve Pro is a mains operated or portable hand held medical grade device designed for home use to help with pain and promote healing by conducting ultrasound waves into the damaged tissue. Although the device is easy its perhaps best if the user has received ultrasound treatment previously from a physio or healthcare professional, and again it's advisable to check with your GP or physio before using one to derive pain relief It should not be used as a replacement for conventional help with back pain but in conjunction with it in between sessions. Again there is conflict over the effectiveness to help with back pain with both positive user testimonials offset by inconclusive meta analysis.

David Pegg, from Manchester England, is a director with Lumbacurve International.
For more detail on the LumbaCurve lower back pain therapy device see Back Pain Relief

Discovering the Relationship Between Stress and Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica

Stress is associated with a myriad of symptoms and conditions to include neck pain, back pain, and sciatica. Stress is also responsible for many other disorders of the mind and the body. Hans Bruno Hugo Seyle (1907-1982) is credited by many with being the first to recognize and document the existence and impact of biological stressors. Professor Seyle is often acknowledged as being responsible for much of our current understanding of stress and how it impacts the body.

Furthermore, stress researcher and author demonstrated that stress can be negative, as in what is referred to as distress, or positive, as in what is called eustress; and, that in either case there is a definite and profound effect on the body. Many conditions exhibited by the body are the result of stress, positive or negative. In fact, we now more fully understand the causal relationship between stress and ulcers, stress and headaches, and stress and many other psychosomatic disorders. Neck pain, back pain and sciatica are generally attributed to such things as trauma, disease, illness, and aging when, in fact, in a large number of instances, stress may be and often is the underlying cause.

Neck pain, or cervicalgia, is a fairly common complaint, one affecting two-thirds of the population at some point in their lives. Significantly, neck pain may be caused by a myriad of conditions and/or factors, not unlike the other two expressions of pain in what I refer to as the "back pain complex." Back pain, also known as dorsalgia, generally has its origins in a specific region of the spine. Back pain in the cervical curvature is, of course, neck pain. Pain predominantly felt in the thoracic curvature or region of the spine may be expressed as chest pain and/or upper back pain. And, what we often refer to as a "pain the back," is generally lower or simply low back pain, generally in the lumbar region but may also be felt in the buttocks and legs. Sciatica on the other hand, at times referred to as a type of radiculopathy (at or near the nerve route), may originate at any number of loci but generally at L4 and L-5 or at S1 through S-3. However, sciatic nerve pain may also present itself at any point along the nerve route. Sciatica is, as has been noted in previous articles, a symptom and not an ultimate diagnosis and may run from the lower back down across the buttocks and into the feet and toes.

One thing constant in all three of the above mentioned pain representations is that stress may cause or contribute significantly to the onset and level of any of these "back pain complex" expressions. Neck pain, back pain and sciatica, usually originate in the muscles and fascia, tendons and ligaments, or bones and joints. Of course it may be expressed in several at once, depending on the condition and duration of involvement. In any case, stress may cause and/or exacerbate the pain in any of the three pain expressions mentioned above.

In order to properly understand and treat neck pain, back pain and/or sciatica we must recognize the mind-body link. Stress, being a responsible for any number of possible pain expressions, as well as a number of other psychosomatic disorders, should never be overlooked or its impact underestimated. The link between stress and neck pain, back pain, and sciatica is now a given, the connection undeniable. Yet for years, this link was misunderstood and misdiagnosed because of our limited understanding of psychosomatic disorders and their impact on the body. Seyle's work was instrumental in providing a new, sharper image and understanding of the impact stress has on the body. Unfortunately, even today we see many cases of denial, as it applies to psychosomatic complaints and their diagnoses, due to the stigma attached to anything related to the mind, or psyche. The saying, "It's all in your head" may be true but it still carries with it negative connotations and a negative stereotype.

We often hear expressions like, "Mary is a pain in the neck" or "Jack's a real pain in the back side." Of course, instead of "back side," many use other, more descriptive words or phrases. These are simply expressions with origins in the recognized link between the mind, as in stress, and the body, as in pain. While we often trivialize such expressions, the underlying link cannot, nor should not, be trivialized or denied. Unfortunately, denial is one of the biggest impediments, the highest hurdle any medical practitioner has to overcome because of the immediate defense mechanism slammed into place when someone hears the term psychosomatic.

Unfortunately, the saying "it's all in your head" may be true but until we better understand and accept the link between the two, we are quite often doomed to a kind of "medical test limbo," where everything is tried and nothing works, nothing provides the answers we are seeking. The reason for this being, we have failed to understand the profound impact stress has on the body, in this case resulting in neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica...or worse.

If neck pain, back pain, and sciatica seem to be present only during periods of high stress, you may consider it a distinct possibility that stress is indeed a factor. How do you know? Ultimately, you don't! However, short of a visit to your family doctor, it may be advisable to begin a program of stretching and exercise.

The exercise program will do two things right away:

One, it will "burn off" some of that stress, replacing the harmful hormones dumped into your system during periods of peak stress and replacing them with natural opiates, known as endorphins. There are also other hormones produced that enter the blood stream during exercise but for the purposes of this article, let's just say they provide an amazing and totally natural high.

Two, it will take you to a place you may have not been in a while, and this place is a journey, not a destination. The journey is known as a healthy lifestyle.

A funny thing happens to people who begin to exercise, they begin to feel better, and then they begin to take care of themselves. This feeds back upon itself, a feedback loop, constantly fueling a healthier and happier state until neck pain, back pain, and sciatica are in the past. Should you ever use heat at any point? NO! I cannot stress this enough! Heat is the absolute wrong thing to apply to a painful neck or back. Take it from someone who has had fifteen major surgeries, fourteen on the spine, and did his doctoral research on the spine and sacroiliac joint. Never, and I mean never, use heat! If you have discomfort, associated with possible inflammation and/or swelling, ice is the only remedy. Ice beats out everything, including anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and NSAIDS.

If it is stress, while it may seem counter-intuitive, ice works wonders in a matter of as little as twenty minutes, a much shorter amount of time than it takes for the average oral medication to kick in. I use an ice-compression brace, just slip in the packet and kick back on the recliner for fifteen or twenty minutes and I'm good to go. A plastic baggie or even a grocery store bag will do in a pinch, just fill it up, wrap it in a thin, cloth towel, bang on it a few times so the ice breaks and there's greater surface area, and you have an ice pack made for the back. Once again, along with an exercise and stretching program, ice is a neck pain, back pain and sciatica sufferer's best friend for beating stress and creating a pain-free lifestyle for yourself.

For further information and a newly discovered and very intelligent program of treatment, one that works for neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica, guaranteed, go to:

http://www.TheBackPainGuy.info

For additional information and a link to an excellent resource for additional neck pain, back pain, and sciatica treatment programs; a source for New Balance running shoes, the best for back pain and sciatica sufferers due to awesome heel cushioning; ice-compression braces, great for inflammation, swelling, and pain reduction; orthotics, for the times when you need support and cushioning and you can't wear the New Balance running shoes; and, an excellent natural anti-inflammatory that works wonders:

http://www.UltimateBadBackStrategies.com

Professor John P. J. Zajaros, Sr., The Bad Back Guy

Leachco Back 'N Belly - Contoured Body Pillow, Ivory

Product Description
Pregnant moms who struggle to find a comfortable position will love the Leachco Back 'N Belly Contoured Body Pillow. Moms-to-be can sleep well and wake up without aches! The big, roughly U-shaped pillow has two contoured "legs" so you can sleep on your back or either side, tuck the end of the pillow between your knees, and elevate your head to ease heartburn.

The Back N Belly provides support for the back and belly at the same time. Simply reverse the ends of the body pillow for a "double decker" head support. It elevates and aligns the hips to help ensure a natural position, which relieves stress on joints. This Leachco body pillow helps relieve carpal tunnel, sciatica, gastric reflux, and nasal congestion.

The Back 'N Belly is made of cozy, warm polyester and comes with a custom cover case which can be removed for washing. It can be used in positions not shown in the illustrations: Mothers of different sizes, shapes, and sleep preferences can experiment, as many have, to find just the right configuration.

Price: $59.99

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How to Eliminate Your Back Pain

The only physician-written, evidence-based guide to recovering from chronic low back pain with a whole new concept. Complete with pictures and step-by-step instructions. Additional graphics available on request.

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Back Magic Multi-Level Adjustable Back Stretching Devise

The Back Magic is a small lightwieght multi-level back stetching devise that helps you relax and immediately relieves back pain due to tight muscles, excessive flexion, and poor spinal alignment. Just lie down and relax for five minutes twice a day. The Back Magic is recommended and used by Physicians, Chiropractors, and Professional Athletes.

Price: $34.95

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Back Pain Exercise-Natural Pain Relief

Your back, just like the rest of your body, needs regular exercise to be healthy and strong. It needs a regular fitness regimen to keep it performing at peak efficiency.

Back pain exercise involves exercise of not only your back muscles, but also of those that support your back. The abdomen and thigh muscles are in the second group. You will want to exercise both groups to avoid or alleviate back pain. You may also want to add healthful fish oils to your daily diet to lubricate your joints. This is especially important as you age, since aging joints become more susceptible to painful problems.

Back Pain Exercise You Can Do At Home

A good physiotherapist or chiropractor will be able to teach you many useful exercises for reducing back pain, but these five will get you started.

1. Back, hip, and leg muscles. Stand with your back against a wall. Place your feet shoulder-width apart, your hands on your hips. Inhale and exhale deeply and evenly as you gently slide your back down the wall until your knees are at an angle of about 90 degrees. Count to five, and then gently and slowly slide back to your original position. Repeat five times. This will stretch and strengthen important back, hip, and leg muscles.

2. Abdomen muscles. Lie on your back on the floor. Firmly place your feet flat on the floor. Your knees should be bent and raised toward the ceiling. Lean forward until your head and shoulders leave the floor, trying to touch your knees with both hands. Hold the position as you count to 10. Relax and repeat 5 times. This will strengthen the abdominal muscles that help support your back.

3. Back muscles. Stand with hands on hips, feet slightly apart. Move your hand backward onto the small of your back. Keep your knees straight. Gently bend backwards at the waist as far as you can. Be careful not to bend so far that you increase your back pain. Hold the bend for 2 to 3 seconds. Return to your normal position. This back pain exercise will strengthen the muscles in your back itself. It will also loosen tight back muscles.

4. Hip and back muscles. Use a straight back kitchen or dining chair for this exercise. Stand behind the chair, holding the chair back with both hands. Lift one leg up and back, keeping its knee straight. Return it slowly to position, and lift the other leg up and back in the same way. Repeat 5 times with each leg. This exercise will strengthen hip muscles that support your back, as well as the back muscles themselves.

5. Back and hip muscles. You may want a mat under you for this one. Lying face down on the floor, tighten the muscles in one leg and raise it from the floor. Hold the leg up while you count to ten, and then lower it slowly to the floor. Lift the other leg, count to 10, and lower it slowly to the floor. Repeat 5 times with each leg to give added strength to your back muscles and the hip muscles that support them.

CAUTION: Back Pain Exercise Demands Warm-up!

You've heard it before, but this word of caution is important. Before beginning your back pain exercise, talk to your physician about what you plan to do. You may want to show these exercises to him or her and get advice. Then set aside time to exercise regularly, at least every other day.

Back pain exercise demands warm-up, so schedule at least five minutes at the start of your exercise period for that. Warming up lowers blood pressure, improves blood flow to the heart, increases muscle temperature and makes muscles more pliable. Warm up with some type of slow, rhythmic movement. Walking is a good warm-up for your back pain exercises. Use an easy walking pace, inhaling and exhaling evenly and deeply to send oxygen to your muscles.

Back pain exercise has benefits for the rest of your body also. Think of your back as the main core of a healthy body. By giving it simple, low impact exercise each day or every other day, you will strengthen your muscles, preparing them to protect and support the painful area throughout the day.

Get Even More Help for Back Pain

While back pain exercise is a long-term solution to your back pain, you want to reduce your pain right now. You don't want to wait. You want treatments that will give relief while you make muscles stronger.

? 2007, Anna Hart. Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about back pain at http://www.backpainreliefblog.com. You?ll read about back pain treatments you can do at home ? and natural ways to get back pain relief.

Do You Have Lower Back Pain?

The back pain is on the rise due the lifestyles we are living in. The back pain affects about 90% of Americans in their life at some point. But that is a matter of time as the pain resolves on its own after a few days to weeks. There are other back pains that do not resolve but becomes lifelong pains. The former is called acute back pain while the latter one is chronic back pain. The pain can be of the upper or the lower region of the back.

SYMPTOMS OF LOWER BACK PAIN

The warning signs that indicate the presence of back pain and there severity depends on the type of conditions that causes it, but essentially the symptoms are similar. Persistent back pain that more often has been present for than a few days. Back pain that wakes the person at night is indicative of the disorder. The pain makes the control of the bowel or bladder difficult in many instances. Presence of a fever, chills, sweats, or other signs of infection or any other unusual symptoms also warns of a back strain or disorder. The lower limbs are also affected by the lower back pain as the pain sensations radiate in many cases down the leg. Pain may worsen while bending the back.

CAUSES

There are many causes of the back pains we often experience. The short term or acute back pain is usually caused by arthritis or injured lower back structures. The pain of chronic nature is usually caused by the inflamed joints, muscles or ligaments of the back region. More often the pain is due the person's lifestyle. Poor posture, obesity, lifting anything the wrong way, sitting or standing in the same posture for a long time can also be the causes. Other factors include physical and mental stress on the person.

Many diseases can also cause severe back pain. Herniated disc, sciatic nerve compression or spinal stenosis may also be the cause of severe backaches as the symptoms of these disorders are generally associated with back pain.

TREATMENT APPROACHES

The treatment of these pains is usually available as over-the-counter (OTC) medications. In many cases the physicians prescribe the drugs for specific conditions as well. The basic function is to relieve pain and reduction of the severity of inflammation. The medications that are used for the treatment of back pains are available as Pain relievers, Muscle relaxants and steroidal medications. In some cases it also requires Physical therapy or even Surgery in severe conditions.

There are many pain killers or pain relievers that are used for back aches. The most common OTC pain killers available are aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol) from the NSAIDs. The most popular of these is aspirin as it can reduce both the inflammation and relieves the associated pain. It is easily available under a variety of brand names. It should however be checked for safety in cases of allergy, stomach ulcers or when used in children due to risks of aspirin use in such cases. Acetaminophen is a safe drug in this aspect. However it is associated with risks for patients suffering from liver disorders where it can harm the liver as well as the kidneys.

Other important nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that relieve pain as well as inflammation, which are more commonly used include; Diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), Flurbiprofen (Ansaid), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Indomethacin (Indocin), Ketoprofen (Actron), Naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn), Piroxicam (Feldene), The less common NSAIDs for this purpose include Diflunisal (Dolobid), Etodolac (Lodine), Meclofenamate (Meclomen), Nabumetone (Relafen), Orudis, Oruvail, Oxaprozin (Daypro), Phenylbutazone, Salsalate (Disalcid), Sulindac (Clinoril) and Tolmetin (Tolectin).

Muscle relaxants

These are centrally acting drugs that are usually prescribed for back ache relief when the muscle spasm is contributing to the pain.

These are available as prescription only medicines in the USA but some are available in Canada without a prescription. Most are available in tablet forms and are prescribed usually along with rest, exercise, physical therapy, or other treatments. Only methocarbamol (Robaxin) is available in both tablet and injectable forms. It is important to note that these muscle relaxing drugs should never be considered as a substitute for the other more important forms of treatment. Carisoprodol (Soma), Chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte DSC), Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), Methocarbamol (Robaxin)

Steroids

In some severe cases the steroids are given as epidural injections to ease the pain. These cases include Herniated disc, sciatic nerve compression or spinal stenosis which involve the nerve compressions where steroids are effective. The effects are temporary but are beneficial to patients of acute episodes of back or leg pain. This also helps in the rehabilitation of the patient by relieving pain.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy may be prescribed by your doctor, which is very effective in healing the pain. This therapy includes;For 20 minutes, 3 or 4 times a day during the first few days of a muscle sprain or spasm the effected person should use ice packs on his back. A hot bath or heating pad can help reduce pain and stiffness of the back muscles as well. Maintain good posture to keep your body's weight aligned and reduce stress on the back muscles thus causing pain relief. For the prevention of future problems weight loss is important. Avoid lifting heavy objects and repeated bending and twisting. Change positions often during the day and use a chair with good lower back support. It should also be noted that if the back pain is not relieved in 3 days by any of the treatments it is better to consult the health care provider.

Surgery

Fewer than 1 in 100 people ever require surgery for back pain.

Generally it is considered after months of an ineffective treatment by the physician but rarely used for this purpose. Surgery is an option in the case of a proven herniated disc that is causing the pain. Treating a herniated disc involves decompressing the nerve in the back that is causing the pain. If herniated disc is causing the pain surgery is an option in that case only which involves decompressing the nerve in the back. Tr aumatic conditions such as fractures of the spine, dislocations, painful spondylolisthesis where one vertebra slips forward on the one beneath it, neurological deficits caused by nerve compression or instability are the rare cases that requires surgery

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Some tips to maintain a healthy back and avoid causes of low back pain are given below:

Lift an object only by bending your knees and squatting to pick up the object. Always keeping the back straight and holding the object close to the body. By avoiding twists on the body while lifting anything the pain can be prevented. Rather than pulling when moving heavy objects it is always better to push them to avoid any strain on the back muscles.

By stopping or taking intervals while driving a car or truck for long hours. By sitting at a desk the pain is avoided by sitting on a chair that has a good support for the spine. By wearing flat shoes or shoes with low heels (1 inch or lower) to provide a straight stature to the body. An inactive lifestyle contributes to low back pain thus exercising regularly is important. Maintenance of weight is also very important, by putting down the weight the stress on the lower back is reduced.

When the back hurts, the best position for relief is to lie on the back on the floor with pillows under knees, with hips and knees bent and feet on a chair or just with hips and knees bent. This takes the pressure and weight off the back muscles and vertebrae. Resting for 1 to 2 days on the bed can relieve the back pain. Muscles may weaken if rest is more than that and recovery is slowed down so for avoiding this a few minutes walk is recommended.

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How You Can Prevent Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is created by your normal day to day activity. You bend and lift, you twist and turn and then you wake up or stand up and can't move. You now are a victim of lower back pain.

Your lower back pain can stop you from enjoying your leisure times and family times. You aren't able to get into your garden or do your household chores easily.

So you need to learn ways to help prevent this occurring.

Lower back pain is commonly caused by your normal daily activity, if you look at what you do the solution are very simple.

Each activity you do, whether it is bending or lifting or twisting, is working your lower back and other areas of your body. It is just like going to a gym for a work-out. The big difference is this...

Most gym work-outs last about an hour - yet you will spend three hours gardening. You may take two hours to vacuum your floor and do the housework. When you go to the gym you are told before you do any exercise you should warm up and when you are completed you need to warm down.

What would your gym instructor say if you decided to just get into your weights routine without a warm up? Would they sit back and say - "go for it, warm ups are over rated". Or are they more likely to encourage you to warm up, to prepare your self for the activity you are about to perform. The same for warm downs, they are wanting you to ease the muscles you have used to help them recover and to become stronger with time. All designed to limit injuries and aches and pains, including lower back pain.

My question is this - if you spend more time doing work around your house, if it involves lifting, bending and twisting, why do you not warm up or down?

As these activities are the most common cause of lower back pain, surely it is wise to prepare for them.

Warming up for household activity is easy. All you need to do is go for a five minute walk, simulate the task you are about to do - just without resistance. If you are going to garden then bend and twist like you intend to do, if you are going to vacuum, then lean over and simulate vacuuming just without the machine.

A few minutes doing this before the activity and a few after the activity will prevent a lot of lower back pain. A few minutes spent warming up and down can save you weeks of lower back pain.

A simple task to do that can help to easily prevent lower back pain. All you need to do now is implement it into your daily routines. Lower back pain does not need to be a common household problem. Remember, 80% of the adult population suffers from lower back pain, a simple warm up and warm down can reduce the lower back pain percentages dramatically.

Dr Graeme Teague is an expert in the structural field, and has been in practice since 1991. His newly launched web site The Back Pain Advisor - http://www.back-pain-advisor.com - strives to give you valuable and expert advice, tips and information on your back pain issues.

For more information on back stretches, just visit Back stretches- http://www.back-pain-advisor.com/back-stretches.html

Subscribe to your free e-course on solutions to your back pain, just click here -Back Solutions - [http://www.back-pain-advisor.com/back-solutions-masters-course.html] or for the ideal e-book on all the many structural techniques you can use at home to remove all back pain, visit http://www.back-pain-advisor.com/back-pain-advice.html

Does My Neck Pain Have Anything to Do With My Back Pain? If So, How?

I you happen to suffer with neck and back pain, you are going to love this article.

Questions you may ask yourself (if this is you) are:

"If I have neck pain, does that automatically mean I will have back pain too? Or if I already do have back and neck pain, are the two even related"? If you don't ask yourself those questions, then those are two excellent questions any back pain sufferer, neck pain sufferer or both, should ask.

I think that they are excellent questions to ask because if they are related, and you happen to suffer with neck and back pain, then the answers may help you solve your own pain, and better yet, help you learn the reasons why you seem unable to lose your neck pain once and for all.

One of the best reference books relating to the anatomy and functioning of the spine ever published is aptly named:

THE SPINE

Edited by two highly renowned doctors, Richard Rothman MD, PhD and Frederick Simeone MD, both were past Professors at Pennsylvania Medical School, Rothman for Orthopedic surgery, and Simeone for Neurosurgery.

In this reference book called "The Spine", the second chapter is called "Applied Anatomy of the Spine".

In that chapter, the author basically related how the "23 or 24 individual motor segments", affect the entire spine. These 23 motor segments being referred to are better known as the bones of the spine and everything else that makes them complete, in terms of joint mechanics and electrical "wiring" (if you will).

The chapter explains how that no:

"Disorder of a single major component of a unit can exist without affecting: a) the function of the other components of the same unit, and b) the functions of the other levels of the spine.

That complex yet simple statement could very well hold a secret as to how neck and back pain are related, and more importantly what we can do about it.

In that quote above, the author is trying to get across two points. Firstly, when a problem develops in one area of the spine, then the spine will have a problem in the same area, but with the other components of the spine.

Seems like common sense actually.

By saying "components of the spine" the author is referring to having a problem with all the aspects of the structure and function of the spine. The bones, the nerves, the joints, the discs, the ligaments, the tendons, the cartilage, and anything else that helps make up the components in that area.

But the second more interesting point of that quote is the fact that when a problem develops with a major component of one unit" in the spine, then a problem will develop with the functioning of "another levels of the spine"

Very interesting finding, indeed.

The main take away idea of that entire quote is the fact that a problem in one component of the spine will affect the other components or "functions" of the same area, and the functions of "other" areas.

So picture this, if you have functional problems in your lower back (one component), like not being able to bend as far as you use to do, not being as flexible, having pain with sitting, pain with standing, changing positions, and pain with walking, then the problem can very likely be coming from the neck.

Other functional problems that can develop as a result of problems of the neck are the even more familiar activities of daily living, things like washing the dishes, cleaning up around the house, vacuuming, being on the computer, trying to get comfortable while watching television and trying to sleep comfortably.

If you have pain with doing any of these activities, you may be surprised to learn that you problem may very well start from your neck!

As well, similar problems and pains that you have in your neck, not being able to turn very far, pain into the upper shoulders, even weakness into the neck, arms and shoulders all may be as a result of the components of the lower back.

This idea that the entire spine can act like a singularly related "functioning entity" sounds kind of spooky I realize. Probably even harder to believe, but I assure you that this idea is supported by a vast array of literature, doctors, and references as you shall soon see.

For example, another reference text is entitled "Disorders of the Cervical Spine"

In regards to this references book, the authors tend to be a bit more specific. In this book, Dr. Bland a Professor of Medicine at the University of Vermont College of Medicine, states that "we tend to divide the examination of the spine into the regions: cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine...this is a mistake"

Dr. Bland goes on to explain why this is a mistake, by stating the cervical spine may "be symptomatic because of a thoracic or lumbar spine abnormality, and vice versa!"

Over the decades, numerous other publications point to the fact that the cervical spine and its problems can influence movements, perception of pain and the neurology of the lower back.

If you actually just stop to think about it though, the neck and back affecting one another should make complete sense.

The signals that go up and down the spine into the lower back must ultimately pass through the neck to get to the brain. As well, all the information travelling down from the brain to the back, must travel through the neck on its way down to arms, trunk, lower back, and legs in order to make them move (and what not).

Mechanical problems of the neck unfortunately can really "mess" with both the signals originating in the spine going to the brain (called afferents) and the signals originating or being relayed from the brain to the spine ( called motor function).

Something I find equally interesting about this phenomenon is the fact that it is not new.

In 1942 the only neurosurgeon in the Hawaiian Islands during Pearl Harbor was Dr. Ralph Cloward.

Operating endlessly and saving countless lives, Dr. Cloward pioneered numerous diagnostic and spinal surgical techniques.

He published an article entitled "Cervical Diskography" and notes that spinal cord compression by a midline cervical disc protrusion can cause "pain extending down to the feet".

Several years later, and as early as 1946, Some of the best clinical observations as it relates to the spine comes from Herman Kabat, MD, PhD, published in a book entitled "Low Back and Leg Pain From Herniated Cervical Disc"

Dr Kabat explains that herniated discs in the neck is usually as a result of trauma, but he goes on to say that the compression of the cervical spinal cord by herniated discs in the neck is "the most common cause of low back and leg pain"

The other interesting finding in this presentation of lower back and leg pain as a result of neck herniations is the fact that these symptoms are

"indistinguishable from the characteristics symptoms of a herniated lumbar disc"

IF you have ever suffered with lower back pain, and have not been able to find any relief, or very little relief, all of the above findings should be a complete paradigm shift.

A paradigm shift because, while you have been focusing on back exercises, epidurals in the back, physical therapy and chiropractic in the back, and even surgery in the back, they may have been all for not, because the real problem, the real source of your pain, is in the neck.

Dr. Kabat confirms this fact when he suggests that "conservative treatment exclusively of the herniated cervical disc in a large series of cases has routinely produced complete and lasting relief of pain in the low back and leg"

Sometimes too, with herniated discs in the neck, pain in the low back and leg is the only complaint, without experiencing any pain in the neck or arm. When this is the case, it is easy to see how we can miss the true cause of the pain.

So what happens when we miss the true cause of lower back pain, especially if the true cause is coming from the herniated disc material in the neck?

Well for one, doctors often recommend lumbar spine surgery. I know that if that were me, and doctors recommended that I have back surgery to relive my back pain, and the real cause of my back pain was coming from my neck, I certainly would want to know that.

Wouldn't you?

Well Dr. Kabat found that patients that did not get any relief from back surgery were found to have a herniated cervical disc which was "exclusively responsible for the low back and leg pain"

I know that that statement above in the very least raises several concerns that must be addressed.

Number one, you must be thinking how the two, the neck and lower back, anatomically, actually relate to each other? Better yet, how in fact can a herniated disc in the neck, result in function problems, pain, and problems in the back? Explain it to me.

Number two, if the neck and the compression that occurs there can cause low back pain and leg pain, why have I never heard about it until now? Why is it not included and considered in the management of people like me, people that suffer with lower back pain?

In part two of this series "How does my neck pain relate to my back pain", I will be discussing the above concerns, and hopefully shed some light on why you keep suffering with lower back and neck pain.

In the last installment, I will give you a simple do at home exercise and stretching program that you can do own your home, to help relieve the compression in your neck, and ultimately live a pain free life.

Till next time, watching your back and neck.

Dr Joel Rosen, D.C. BPE, BA (Psych), is a Doctor of Chiroprrtic as well as a lifestyle & conditioning coach in Boca Raton, author of Lose the Neck Pain System, a contributing author to a number of article directories and magazines

Dr. Joel's neck pain elimination system websites feature his best-selling Lose the Neck Pain System for neck pain, upper back pain, headache pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and even lower back pain and his membership site offers access to all of Dr Joel's Lose the Neck Pain System and video clips for men and women and discussion forums.

Dr. Joel Rosen also has an advanced education background, completing a Master's of Science Degree in Exercise Physiology from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and completing a Psychology from York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Dr. Joel Rosen combines both disciplines as well as his doctorate in chiropractic to give his patients the cutting edge rehab strategies and techniques for obtaining optimal health and ending years of pain and suffering. Dr. Joel continues to study the latest training, supplementation, and nutrition research that will help improve client's health and wellness as well as their physical and mental performance.

Check out his website at http://doctorjoelrosen.com/

How to Deal With Chronic Pain & Depression - Back Pain & Failed Treatment Strategies

Chronic back pain is a condition that affects millions of Americans every year. Chronic pain of any kind leads to depression in as high as 85% of all individuals diagnosed with the disorder. Chronic back pain may result from any number of factors and is in fact one of the least understood conditions affecting millions of back pain and sciatica sufferers worldwide. The often insidious and frequently misunderstood complex of chronic back pain and depression leads to its own set of conditions and consequences. The combination of depression and chronic pain often leads to total disability, with little hope of a real solution or cure.

Back pain, in fact pain in general, often falls into one of two categories. The two types of pain are nociceptive pain and neuropathy or neuropathic pain. Nociceptive pain is sensed by what are called nociceptor sensory fibers. Neuropathic pain or neuropathy is a term used to describe damage to a nerve or nerve tissue. With nociceptive pain, messages are sent to the brain signaling an injury to the skin, muscles, connective tissue such as ligaments and tendons, bones and joints or other vital organs. Nociceptive pain may be described in terms of trauma or a specific injury that often heals with time and treatment. Examples of this type of pain include the pain after spine surgery, the pain due to a fall or an accident, stubbing your toe, and arthritis pain, just to name a few. Neuropathy or neuropathic pain is generally a deep sensation, whether aching, throbbing or soreness. Neuropathy is generally associated with back pain and sciatica but may also indicate damage in other areas, such as pain in the neck extending into the shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. It is believed that in cases where the nociceptive pain is prolonged, with no clear resolution or outcome, it may evolve or progress into neuropathic pain. It is not uncommon for a patient to have a constellation of conditions in which both categories, both classifications of pain are present.

Within the context of nociceptive pain and neuropathy, there are gradations ranging from mild to acute and from short term or abrupt manifestations to a chronic, long term state. While pain is a subjective state and classification next to impossible, we will define it as falling into one of two basic expressions, acute and chronic. Acute pain and chronic pain are very different, not only in terms of the actual sensation or expression, but in terms what the sensation or sensations are "telling" us, as well. Acute pain generally reflects the degree of damage at a specific location on or in the body. In cases of acute pain, there is a positive correlation, a relationship, between the sensation and the amount of actual damage. As a result, pain is considered a protective mechanism, an adaptive response allowing us to remove the cause or cease the behavior, thus interrupting the pain and minimizing the damage. Thus, acute pain is an expression of nociceptive pain. Chronic pain, on the other hand, does not send the same message acute pain does. Nor is chronic pain protective or adaptive, it serves no real biological function either. In fact, you could almost say that the signal is a mistake. The reason? Chronic pain, or neuropathic pain, continues to send impulses to the brain long after the event is over and there is no longer tissue damage to report.

It is chronic back pain, with no clear causality, pathology or otherwise, that is so difficult to treat and leads so many of its sufferers into depression, debilitation, and disability. Depression and chronic back pain are inextricably linked and treatment is difficult, if not impossible. The typical chronic pain sufferer with depression also experiences a loss of appetite, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, and a myriad of other mental and physical maladies, all linked back to chronic back pain. Unfortunately, it is at this point the pain management practitioner usually steps in and medicates the patient with an amazing array of narcotics, exacerbating the situation further. Now we have an individual suffering from chronic back pain and depression, probably disabled and unable to work; and, if he or she does work, they have been completely marginalized by the stigma and their inability to function at optimal levels. The addition of narcotics serves to fully debilitate the chronic pain sufferer, usually addicting them to pain medication in the process. The spiral continues downward into worsening depression, hopelessness, loss of identity, loss of self-esteem, and, very possibly, loss of everything around them that was ever important to them.

Pretty grim, huh? Well, it's not without hope and certainly not without resolution. However, it takes a concerted effort including, at times, treatment to get off the pain medication. But it can be done! More and more chronic pain sufferers every day are seeking alternative "bad back" or chronic back pain treatment strategies. Many people suffering from the devastating and deadly complex of chronic pain and depression, addicted to narcotics, are starting to understand that traditional pain management, with its "let's thrown medication at it" mentality is a black hole from which, if not fully extricated from in time, will completely suck the life out of the individual at risk, literally and figuratively.

The program? Exercise, get off the medication, education, and re-entry into your life. Sounds simple but it's not. The chronic back pain may continue for quite a while and medication may be required to alleviate the symptoms of depression. However, if an individual really wants help, it is available. The result may be a new life, one far from the devastating reality of the old one. Exercise, get off the meds, education, and re-entry. Stare with a good, individualized exercise program, get treatment if necessary to get off the pain killers, go back to school or begin to educate yourself, it does wonders for your self-esteem, and re-enter your life, become involved with your family again, with friends, with your dog if you have one. And then? Take life as it comes, one day at a time, as they say. The results will be worth it. The journey? Fantastic!

For further information and an intelligent program of treatment for neck pain, back pain, and sciatica, what I refer to as the "back pain complex" try the program below:

http://www.TheBackPainGuy.info

For additional resources dealing with neck pain, back pain, and sciatica, including additional treatment plans and a community for support; an awesome resource for New Balance running shoes, great for heel cushioning and a must for anyone suffering from neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica; ice-compression braces, crucial for inflammation and swelling; orthotics for the times when the New Balance can't be worn; and, natural antinflammatories for the back pain complex:

Go to:

http://www.UltimateBadBackStrategies.com

Professor John P. J. Zajaros, Sr., The Bad Back Guy

The Biggest Cause of Lower Back Pain - And Its Second Cure!

Can you imagine being able to get out of bed in the morning feeling 100%, yes no more lower back pain to hold you back. Just think of all the things you could do again once your lower back pain had vanished. You would have time to read more...

Wait up, read more, why??

Well if you missed the first part to this article, it would pay to read it first. So go back to the search area and put in "The Biggest Cause of Lower Back Pain... and its' Cure!" to find the first part of this series.

Welcome back...

As I was saying, imagine being free of lower back pain. Being able to go to work pain free, come home pain free, and enjoy life without lower back pain. It is simple and you can have this seemingly unavailable dream.

Firstly you have corrected those pesky weak abdominal muscles, and now you need to release those persistent tight hip flexor muscles. After all they are just as much a cause of your lower back pain as your weak abdominal muscles.

If you don't want to know why these tight muscles cause lower back pain, just skip the next paragraph or two and go straight to how to release them...

The hip flexor muscles attach into the front of your lower spine and then reattach in your hip (where your leg attaches to your pelvis - not the area you call your hip in the side of your lower back). If they tighten they increase the curve of your lower back. This places pressure on your spine and then leads to lower back pain.

The hip flexor muscles are commonly irritated by a few things - performing sit-ups wrong is a good one, especially if you have been doing thousands of them in your aim to get those wash-board abdominals or to remove lower back pain. Sitting too long allows them to contract and shorten, which is the biggest cause today. Most of you reading this are sitting down and possibly have spent a few hours searching the internet already.

The way to release them is easy though. No doubt you will have come across many hip flexor stretches before. You now are sitting in hope that I am going to give you a 'miracle' stretch to remove your tight hip flexors once and for ever. But I'm not...

In fact the way to stretch the hip flexors is the same as always. You kneel on the ground, keep your back straight, have the front leg bent with the foot flat on the ground, and then move your pelvis forward so that you stretch the hip flexor of the back leg. Simple, you see these all the time.

The 'miracle part' is when to stretch. When you stretch, your aim is to release the tight muscle, and most of all keep it relaxed all the time. This way your lower back pain will ease and disappear. To achieve this you need to stretch three times each day...

When you wake up, once in the day and just before bed. The night time stretch is the most important as you stretch then relax the muscle by sleeping. This is the ideal way to train your muscle to stay relaxed. The other most important aspect is how to stretch.

Knowing what to stretch is essential, knowing when to stretch is imperative; knowing how to stretch is the fail-safe.

You are most likely reading this with lower back pain. You want to be able to get out of your chair and enjoy life, free of lower back pain. This is achievable and all you have to do is increase the strength of your abdominal muscles and release the tension in your hip flexors... simple.

Lower back pain can disappear and remain that way. Life becomes the way you always dreamed it would...

Dr Graeme Teague is an expert in the structural field, and has been in practice since 1991. His newly launched web site The Back Pain Advisor - http://www.back-pain-advisor.com - strives to give you valuable and expert advice, tips and information on your back pain issues.

For more information on lower back pain issues just visit - http://www.back-pain-advisor.com/lower-back-pain.html

Receive a free e-book on back pain when you subscribe to our newsletter, just click here - [http://www.back-pain-advisor.com/back-pain-adviser.html]

Understanding Chronic Treatment-Resistant Pain - Psychosomatic Back Pain

Science has demonstrated that there is an incredibly powerful link between the mind and the body. In many instances, the underlying cause of neck pain, back pain and sciatica, also referred to as the back pain complex, may be psychological. Many times, when an individual is in pain and told that it may be psychological or psychosomatic, the patient immediately becomes defensive, often stating, "It is not in my mind, the pain is real!" The fact is, it is indeed very real, regardless of whether the pain is labeled as psychosomatic or not. When dealing with treatment-resistant, chronic pain the mind/body link must be explored, so it can be ruled out. In this article, we will discuss psychological pain, psychosomatic pain, and chronic psychological back pain. While discussed in a previous article, we will also address, once again but briefly, the link between chronic back pain and depression. Chronic pain, in any form, can be the most insidious, debilitating, and disabling of any medical complaint. In order to fully treat the condition, underlying causality must be explored and diagnosed thoroughly. It is true that most cases of neck pain, back pain, and sciatica are or have their basis in an actual pathology or other physiological condition. However, psychological back pain is quite common and in fact is one of the primary causes of treatment-resistant chronic pain.

Unfortunately, when an illness is labeled psychosomatic there is often an immediate stigma or negative perception associated with it. Very often, when an individual suffering from neck pain, back pain and/or sciatica hears the term psychosomatic, they immediately respond defensively. When a condition is labeled as psychosomatic the connotation attached is that the condition is "all in the mind" or somehow "imaginary." There is even a mental illness stigma attached, with the patient protesting, "I am not crazy, this pain is real!" Even people close, at times members of the individual's own family, will say unkind things like, "I knew he was faking it" or "I knew she was just trying to get attention, I felt sorry for her!" For these reasons and others, the resistance to a psychosomatic diagnosis is considerable, often socially and culturally based.

As discussed in a previous article, there is a powerful link between stress and psychosomatic illness, in this case neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica; or treatment-resistant chronic back pain. Additionally, the link between depression and psychosomatic illness, particularly as we age, is often quite powerful. Individuals suffering from psychosomatic illness may experience incredible pain or other physical manifestations or symptoms, with no physical diagnosis. Paradoxically, there are a number of physical conditions, such as brain injuries and vitamin deficiencies just to name two, which may exhibit profound psychological symptoms. However, it is often the case that many individuals exhibiting treatment-resistant chronic pain, with no underlying medical diagnosis, may have a psychological or psychosomatic condition.

Contrary to commonly held beliefs, pain that is the result of a psychosomatic condition, of an emotional or psychological process, is actually quite real. Psychosomatic pain, in this case treatment-resistant chronic back pain, is not imaginary, it is not "in our heads," it is not the result of a delusional or a sick mind, and it is not the consequence of mental illness. The fact is that anyone suffering from tension headaches, ulcers, colitis, tension backaches, and a myriad of other stress-related illnesses has a psychosomatic condition. Clearly, all of these individuals are not "crazy." I suppose the best way for an individual to understand just how real psychosomatic pain can be is to have them think back to their last tension headache and ask a single, quite simple question: "Was the pain real?"

Psychological back pain is simply another name for psychosomatic back pain and is sometimes referred to as stress-induced back pain. Once again, pain associated with this condition is indeed very real. While the pain may ultimately be linked to the mind/body link, the physical expression of pain, whether the pain is neck pain, back pain or sciatica, may be debilitating and disabling. Consequently, dealing with psychosomatic, treatment-resistance chronic pain is often difficult, if not close to impossible, without effectively dealing with the underlying condition. As a noted evolutionary scientist once pointed out, psychosomatic pain may be considered an evolutionary anomaly but it is completely human and utterly normal. As our system, and that includes our mind, becomes overloaded, it seeks to alleviate or eliminate the problem as quickly and efficiently as possible. Unfortunately for the patient, it does this by shifting focus away from the actual cause, the real danger, expressing it in a very uncomfortable, often intense fashion; and, in this case through chronic treatment-resistant back pain.

Psychosomatic pain is the most frequently diagnosed and least understood form of both acute and chronic back pain. Significantly, most treatment-resistant chronic back pain sufferers, those with unresolved back pain, meaning that there is no clear diagnosis, by definition suffer from an underlying and misdiagnosed psychological ailment or condition. While medical schools are beginning to address this very significant medical issue, psychosomatic illness has long been relegated to the back burner of medical education. Consequently, medical practitioners are simply not prepared for or able to understand, much less treat, this condition. As a result, many individuals are misdiagnosed with this "scapegoat condition," leaving individuals with very real physiological, structural, and medical conditions undiagnosed.

Unfortunately, while solutions are available, they are still relatively unknown. As the medical community begins to educate itself, so they can be better prepared to deal with this condition, we are beginning to see the first steps towards a holistic approach to this problem. Psychosomatic medicine has been talked about for centuries, even Sigmund Freud was fascinated by it in his time, yet it is only in the last few years that we see a real movement to deal with this ongoing epidemic. Treatment-resistance chronic pain sufferers, particularly those individuals with an extended history of unresolved and undiagnosed pain, are most likely to exhibit a myriad of medical complaints to include ulcers, colitis, and depression, just to name a few. The combination of unresolved neck pain, back pain and/or sciatica and depression leads to profound consequences for the individual, the family, the community, and even the state. The impact of this poorly understood and often misdiagnosed condition or set of conditions ripples throughout the system with consequences far beyond those of a medical nature.

Ultimately, and until such time as the underlying condition has been diagnosed, treated, and eliminated, symptoms must be recognized and alleviated. For this reason, it is advisable for the individual to begin a wide-ranging, individualized, and medically supervised program to deal with both symptoms expressed and causality yet undetermined. Exercise, in and of itself, will have a remarkable and immediate impact on most individuals. Not only will an exercise program, properly administered and supervised, do wonders to alleviate stress, it will also serve to improve self-esteem and self-confidence. With exercise, particularly until the musculature adapts and adjusts to the new routine, certain other measures will need to be taken. The additional treatment strategies to be initiated, along with the exercise program, should include a stretching program, 2 to 3 times a day (see: "Simple and Easy Program of Exercise for Sciatica Relief... Part I & Part II"). Self-education, both individually and in a group setting, will also enhance understanding, self-knowledge, and self-esteem. Most importantly, either individual or group therapy should be initiated in order to comes to grips with the underlying issues contributing to the unresolved and/or misdiagnosed psychosomatic pain condition. The concert of bad back strategies will do wonders to alleviate symptoms, ultimately leading to a resolution when used along side of a solid therapy program to understand underlying stressors which resulted in the back pain complex of neck pain, back pain, and sciatica.

For further information and an intelligent program of treatment for neck pain, back pain, and sciatica, what I refer to as the "back pain complex" try the program below:

http://www.TheBackPainGuy.info

For additional resources dealing with neck pain, back pain, and sciatica, including additional treatment plans and a community for support; an awesome resource for New Balance running shoes, great for heel cushioning and a must for anyone suffering from neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica; ice-compression braces, crucial for inflammation and swelling; orthotics for the times when the New Balance can't be worn; and, natural antinflammatories for the back pain complex:

Go to:

http://www.UltimateBadBackStrategies.com

John P. Zajaros, Sr., The Bad Back Guy

How to Relieve Lower Back Pain - 6 Simple Tips For Your Back Pain

How to relieve lower back pain is the use of interventions and therapies which involve blocking the conduction of nerves between specific areas of the brain and the body to alleviate pain, medications for short- term relief, exercises for strengthening and pain relief, surgery for relief of chronic pain and other disabilities.

Low back pain is very common among adults and it is often caused by overused of muscles causing strain or injury. Long hours of sitting and standing can also aggravate the condition. Since the lower part of your back makes the most of your movement in everything you do, it can also be the most affected when stressed and injured. As such, when people have such condition, they feel as if they want that pain to disappear in a second.

In the advance of technology these days, there are treatments to help relieve pain in the lower back that varies depending on the severity of the case. There some key points that we have to remember when dealing with the treatment options:

Different treatments can help you stay as active as possible as it will help you understand that some continued or repeated back pain is not surprising or dangerous at all. Most low back pain can get better if you stay active, you avoid positions and activities that may be exhausting to your lower back, use ice for pain and inflammation, and take nonprescription pain relievers when you need them. Doctor's advice is necessary.

When pain is no longer severe, you may be ready for gentle strengthening exercises for your back, necks, legs and to some different areas of the body.. Exercise may not only help decrease low back pain, but it may also help you recover faster, prevent recurrence injury to your back, and reduce the risk of permanent disability.

Exercises to reduce low back pain may not be complicated and can be done at the comforts of your home without any special equipment.

Don't be afraid of the pain and let it stop you from trying gentle activity. You should try to be active soon to prevent pain recurrence and other disabilities. Remember, too little activity can lead to loss of flexibility, strength, and endurance, thus causing more pain.

How To Relieve Lower Back Pain

1. Introduce lower back pain stretching exercises

Some relief from the early stages of lower back pain can be accomplished by performing simple stretches which are often advised by your therapist. Lower back strengthening exercises, along with cardio training exercises are keys to get rid of lower back pain. These will enable your body to become stronger and increase movement and flexibility.

The gentle motions of aerobic exercises such as swimming or riding a stationary bicycle will encourage blood flow through the muscles, increase your flexibility, and enable your body to release natural pain killers of the body into the blood stream thus relieving pain. Aim for 20 to 30 minutes of these exercises each day and you'll notice a significant difference in not only your lower back, but you'll feel better overall.

Aerobic exercise - this is done to condition your heart and other muscles, maintain health, and increase oxygenation to the different parts of the body

Tread milling, swimming, riding on a stationary bike, brisk walking, jogging, aerobics.

Strengthening exercises - this focuses on your back, stomach, and leg muscles.

Prone hold, chest life, opposite arm leg raises, roll outs, super man.

Stretching exercises - this is done to keep your muscles and other supporting tissues flexible and less prone to injury.

If you have low back pain, avoid:

X Straight leg sit-ups.

X Lifting both legs while lying on your back (leg lifts).

X Lifting heavy weights above the waist.

2. Hot and cold treatment

The early stage of lower back pain can be treated with Alternate hot and cold compress. You have to try out whether ice will work better for you than heat. Experiment to determine which one do you prefer and which one is more effective for you. Try to use ice pack for pain and inflammation for at least 10-15 minutes. Once the pain has subsided, apply some hot pack and do it for another 10-15 minutes.

3. Medications

The most common medications for back pain is the over the counter pain killers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These are highly recommended to alleviate back pain. They both work differently so they usually are taken at the same time. Prescribed drugs such as muscle relaxant, anti- depressants are used for prolong relief of pain.

Pain killer such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the single most effective non prescription drugs for lower back pain and it has fewer side effects. It relieves pain by working its action into the brain to turn off the pain perception.

NSAIDs such as Aspirin decreases swelling on the affected area. However, aspirin is not usually taken because of its life threatening effects.

Prescribed Steroids which are effective in treating swelling; however, these drugs have a lot of adverse effects so the dose should be exact and be given regularly and on time.

For the dose, frequency and duration of the drug, consult your health care provider for safety.

4. Transcutaneous electrical nerve simulation is a method employed to bring lower back pain relief. A battery-powered device is used to send mild electric pulses going to the nerve fibers in order to block pain signals to the brain thus alleviating the pain.

5. Ultrasound is a non-invasive method that works by warming the internal tissues of the body that results in the relaxation of muscles at the back.

6. Surgical therapy is one of the many methods on how to relieve lower back pain but it is the least thing to do when the patient does not respond to therapies. It is depending on the doctor's advice if surgery is really needed and consent from the patient must also be considered.

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The Growing Epidemic of Low Back Pain in Children

Low Back Pain Is Not Just For Adults

In years past, low back pain was thought to be a malady afflicting only the elderly. Well, it's not just your granddad's disorder any longer. Once considered a rare pediatric condition, low back pain in children has become a growing concern among many in the medical community.

Children's skeletal structures are continuously growing until late adolescence. Combined with the stress of sports activities including contact sports, the incidence of low back pain in children is skyrocketing. In a recent study, it was determined that low back pain was responsible for approximately 23% of most school absenteeism, and when sports injuries were thrown into the mix, that number jumped to 29%. Even more surprising, researchers discovered that in 75% of reported cases, childhood low back pain triggered depression and other psychological problems. This constitutes a serious concern that demands the attention of parents and health care providers alike.

What Causes Low Back Pain In Children?

It seems that many of the same health issues that initiate low back pain in adults, such as poor posture, misalignment of vertebrae, trauma, emotional stress and sports injuries, have the same affect on children. Add to these issues the fact that most school-age children carry backpacks that weigh 10-20% of their body weight, and you have a recipe for life-long health concerns and back pain.

Emotional stress is also an important factor to consider. Adolescents are subject to wildly varying emotions sometimes compared to a rollercoaster ride. It can be terrifying and exhilarating at the same time; filled with soaring, sky-high excitement only to suddenly plummet into a downward spiral. Interestingly, these rollercoaster emotions have been associated with lower back pain. Research in England involving children between the ages of 11 and 14 revealed that children with higher levels of psychological and social difficulties are much more likely to experience low back pain than their peers.

The Good News Is That Chiropractic Can Help

When spinal vertebrae become misaligned, whether in an adult or in a child, the diagnosis is called vertebral subluxation. This may sound like a frightening medical condition, but it is one that a professional chiropractic doctor can address with great success. However, when left untreated, vertebral subluxation can lead to frequent earaches, headaches, infant colic, neck pain and carpel tunnel syndrome.

Chiropractic care also addresses the nervous system which, among a myriad of other miraculous functions, governs the way in which our bodies react physically to stress. Chiropractic adjustments actually help your body release pent-up stress, relieving tight muscles, tendons and ligaments, and helping to prevent low back pain.

Chiropractic treatment is a wonderful, highly effective way to enjoy natural relief of back pain. Your child's chiropractor will painlessly adjust the vertebral column in order to correct any vertebral misalignment, without potentially harmful drugs or invasive surgery. There is no recovery time; instead, your child will most likely experience an immediate relief from pain and restoration of movement. Additionally, your chiropractor can recommend exercises to relieve low back pain.

What Are The Three D's, And Is Your Child At Risk?

DDD, or degenerative disc disease, is actually a form of arthritis and has been proven to be a common cause of lower back and leg pain in children. Surprisingly, DDD has even been diagnosed in infants. And yet, degenerative disc disease is not typically identified by traditional medical practitioners. Rather, highly-skilled and well-trained chiropractic doctors are leading the way into this new medical frontier.

Degenerative disc disease sounds like a progressive, very frightening disease that could certainly alarm any parent, so here is a brief explanation of DDD. Changes in the water and protein content of the body's cartilage results in weaker, more fragile and thin cartilage. This more typically occurs as we get older. Now, because both the discs and the joints that stack the vertebrae are partly composed of cartilage, these areas are, unfortunately, subject to degenerative changes. The deterioration of the disc between the vertebrae is referred to as degenerative disc disease, and makes the disc tissue more susceptible to herniation.

Natural Remedies For Degenerative Disc Disease Are Available The important thing to remember is that chiropractic care offers you and your child gentle, effective treatment of degenerative disc disease. Early detection and treatment is key to optimum recovery, however. Research at St. Louis University led by Francis W. Smith, MD revealed that degenerative changes in the spines of pediatric study participants occurred much earlier than previously suspected, creating a predisposition to muscle and muscle and ligament sprains and strains, as well as arthritis of the spinal joints.

DDD is not always accompanied by lower back or leg pain, so the wisest course of action is to seek preventative chiropractic care for you and your children. Further, Dr. Smith advises that degenerative disc disease preventative care should begin prior to puberty. Be sure to ask your chiropractic doctor about symptoms of degenerative disc disease and what treatments are available.

Be Proactive - Protect Your Child's Health

A wealth of scientific research confirms that chiropractic care provides safe, effective, and drug-free relief from back and neck pain ... regardless of the cause. So if your child complains of low back pain, if you notice a difference in the way he walks, stands or sits, if your child appears overly clumsy or if you suspect a sport-related trauma, do not ignore these symptoms. Protect your child's physical and emotional health by contacting a chiropractic care professional today.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Drs. Brenda and Erik Slovin are board certified Chiropractic physicians at http://www.SlovinChiropractic.com in Norwalk, Connecticut. Drs. Slovin specialize in teaching people how to get rid of their headache, migraine and neck and shoulder pain, quickly and easily, without the use of drugs or surgery.

To get instant access to all their most successful health strategies and secrets, as well as a free Chronic Pain Report that lets you know why, what most people don't know about chronic pain can actually hurt you!, visit them at: http://www.headache-neck-pain-relief.com and sign-up to receive their monthly newsletter "Live Well".