Archive for the ‘back pain’ Category
What herbs can be used for pain management? According to Pain Management and Migraine Relief the natural remedies can work, but it is critical to use great caution with this approach. While the topic of the article is migraines, other forms of pain can be treated with herbs, especially when inflammation is the cause of the discomfort.
Inflammation and Pain
Pain relieving herbs can be very effective in treating discomfort that stems from inflammation. Chronic inflammation is the core of the pain associated with a number of conditions. The good news is that the discomfort can be alleviated using natural methods including:
• Dietary interventions
• Avoiding toxins
• Stop smoking
• Increase exercise
• Reduce stress
Herbal supplements can also play a natural role in pain management as long as the strategy is used in conjunction with treatments specified by a physician. In addition, each supplement should be approved by a doctor, including its dosage.
Inflammation-Related Conditions
Conditions that have pain associated with inflammation include:
• Arthritis
• Tendonitis
• Neck pain
• back pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• TMJ
• Traumatic injury
• Tendonitis
• Autoimmune disorders
Herbs for Pain Relief
Seven excellent choices in herbal remedies for pain relief top the list. Each has anti-inflammatory characteristics that can alleviate pain.
• Boswellia is a natural inflammatory that comes from a resin collected from frankincense tree bark.
• Bromelain is a digestive enzyme that is found in the stems of pineapples. The enzyme is effective in reducing inflammation-causing hormones known as prostaglandins. The enzyme can help to heal connective tissues and muscles.
• Curcumin is a naturally occurring element found in turmeric. This anti-inflammatory can reduce levels of cytokines, inflammatory proteins.
• Devil’s Claw has an ominous name but it can alleviate pain. The plant is native to the southern region of Africa. It contains iridoid glycosides that are believed to help reduce pain associated with digestive problems and arthritis.
• Ginger is a very popular herb, well known for its pungent aroma and distinctive taste. This anti-inflammatory is as effective, if not more effective, in treating pain than many manufactured pain relievers.
• White Willow Bark contains elements that are similar to aspirin. This natural painkiller has proved to be effective in treating joint and hip pain.
• Yucca was used by Native Americans for a number of conditions. The plant contains saponins that are anti-inflammatory in nature.
Complementary Medicine
The herbs used for pain management are effective as complements to a medical treatment plan provided by a physician. It is critical to make sure that these components are not used exclusively. They are not cures for any medical condition and they can interfere with many medications. Always talk to your doctor when considering augmenting your pain management treatments with herbal remedies.
Biofield therapies, which claim to use subtle energy to stimulate the body’s healing process, are promising complementary interventions for reducing the intensity of pain in a number of conditions, reducing anxiety for hospitalized patients and reducing agitated behaviors in dementia, over and above what standard treatments can achieve. However, longer-term effects are less clear. Dr. Shamini Jain, from the UCLA Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research, and Dr.
It’s that time of year again, the beginning of the season for consumption of all things sweet. Halloween marks the start of the holiday season that extends until the beginning of January. The tendency to overindulge in sweet treats rises, the sugar rush ensues, and waistlines expand. Considering the rise in childhood obesity, here are some ideas to curb the sugar rush, and still keep the kids happy and healthy.
For the ghosts and goblins that come knocking: Select dark chocolate options for trick-or-treaters. Dark chocolate has health benefits such as antioxidants. Give out granola bars, 100% fruit chews, and yogurt or carob covered raisins. Look for the fun or mini size candy options for the ghouls and goblins; the smaller the better. Or, avoid candy altogether and hand out coloring books and crayons, glow sticks, or stickers.
And for your little pumpkins, avoid all unnecessary sugar on the day of Halloween. Omit soda, fruit drinks, certain cereals and other sugary stuff since you know they’ll be eating candy. Feed them a healthy meal before they go out roaming the neighborhood. The hungrier they are, the more candy they will eat along the way. Get them exercising! Throw in a Thriller mix and have a little zombie dance party. Also, have them walk from door to door.
Do you have any tips for healthy treaters?
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As the weather turns colder, the noses turn runnier – but incidence of colds can be greatly reduced by making exercise a part of daily life, according to an expert from the American College of Sports Medicine. David C. Nieman, DrPH, FACSM, says that multiple studies have shown a 25- to 50-percent decrease in sick time for active people completing at least 45 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (such as walking) most days of the week.
Top 13 Yoga Exercises To Avoid Backaches
—Know About The Postures And Positions That Prevent Back Pains
The old east originated meditative art- yoga is making a good impact in the present scenario.
It is adored all around the world and is supposed to be very effective in keeping body flexible and kept in good shape [Power yoga].
It has a wonderful therapeutic impact as well. Yoga is comprised of many postures and sets of breathing exercises (Pranayamas).
These breathing exercises work on the muscles of the upper back to prevent it from pain or reduce the pain.
Yoga postures too have the potential to decrease tension and stress, which sponsors back pain. Yoga teachers have tailored a set of postures and pranayamas, which are especially recommended to avoid or reduce back pain. A check on these breathing exercises and yogic poses listed below will surely help you.
1. Pelvic Tilt Posture
This is recommended to offer a support to the lower back. It also supports abdominals, sacroiliac joints and adjacent structures of the body.It is supposed to be wonderful in cases of problems related to the lower back.
Sometimes, poor posture and muscle atrophy cause severe jerks in the lower part of back, which are very painful. The pelvic tilt posture offers a spinal stabilization in such case.
2. Triangle Pose
Triangle poses are effective on the hips, which have a brawny influence on the spine.The spine is directly associated with back pain.
Hence, a triangle pose is very effective in the reduction of back pain. Nevertheless, it is a bit bizarre type of pose but is very powerful in controlling back pain.
3. Side-Angle Postures
This posture is supposed to be great in alleviating back pains. Side-angle poses of yoga assist with postural conditions, which are very effective in back pain such as those that result from scoliosis and kyphosis. They are also effective in stretching the core muscles of the body, which includes the oblique abdominals too.
4. Standing Forward Bend Positions
This yogic posture is supposed to be a challenge for the performer’s sense of alignment. ‘Uttanasana’ is the most famous posture of forward bending. It works wonders with regard to problems of backaches.
It is considered to be a great posture to remove skeletal disk related ailments. However, you must be careful while performing yoga poses such as ‘Uttanasana.’ A wrong posture can increase the pain instead of diminishing it.
5. Mountain Pose or Tadasana
The elevating yoga position is supposed to be very useful in alleviating back pain. This posture needs the utmost level of your attention because it offers the best results; that is if you know what you are doing.
It develops an ideal spinal alignment and offers an instant relief for back pains. It is also a must for patients with back pain.
6. Corpse pose
To get this yogic posture, lie flat on your back in a relaxed manner and raise your arms at your sides. Have your arms alongside your trunk but slightly away and have your palms facing upwards.
Spread your legs in a natural way. While performing this, you should turn your knees out slightly but if it hurts, perform the yoga in the best possible way of comfort. Release the tension and take deep breaths.
You must be feeling relaxed when you do this because this yoga posture is supposed to be a great exercise in getting a relief from backaches and other ailments as well.
7. Cat Stretch
It involves your back, knees and hands. You start with the hands and knees with a flat back, which brings your shoulders and hands in an alignment. This yogic posture is known for its gradual impact to help relieve backaches.
8. Supported Bridge Pose for Back Pain
This yoga posture is very famous among people suffering from backaches. This is considered as a good exercise posture, as it makes a connection among different parts of body to provide support. This exercise is usually included in the must-to-do list of yoga postures.
9. Stretched Out Big Toe Pose
Also known as ‘Supta Padangusthana,’ this yogic asana needs a gentle stretch of hamstrings and calves. A stretching of these body parts brings an awesome improvement in the condition of the person, who is suffering from backaches [chiropractic therapy].
10. Supine Spinal Twist to get relief from back pain
This trunk rotation movement deals with the twisting of the spines. Nevertheless, it is not an easy deal for everyone but its results are truly worth the effort.
Note: People with degenerative disk ailments must be cautious while performing this yoga.
11. Cat-Cow Pose – Yoga for Back Pain – A Yogic Pose for Spinal Alignment
This pose offers a tremendous effect in dealing with backaches. It comprises functioning of Pilates, yoga and core strengthening asana. The cat-cow position is famed for its therapeutic results and it is widely performed nowadays.
12. Yoga for Back Pain – Cobra Pose
Cobra pose is also known as ‘Bhujangasana.’
The movement of this posture asks one to lie-down on the floor on his or her stomach.
This is then followed by making an arch with the help of the performer’s forelimbs (hands). This is a brilliant stretch exercise that has the capacity to provide a great relief to all who is suffering from backaches.
13. Pranayama (Breathing yogic exercises to get relief from back pain)
As you know, Yoga is a complete package of different physical postures and breathing exercises. Its poses are great in terms of providing a relief for backaches but breathing exercises are also important.
They work as a stimulant for main poses and help you in thwarting irritating backaches.
‘Anulom vilom’ and ‘Nadi sodhan’ are the two most famous breathing exercises.These exercises work wonders in avoidance of a multitude of fatal ailments.
Incorporating functions of inhale and exhale, they let the body grasp more oxygen which is very helpful in blood purification. These asanas also decrease anxiety levels and make the mind calm.
A regular practice of these two exercises releases all the tension, which reduces the possibilities of severe backaches.
Though, there are various methods suggested by yoga experts to hasten an easier healing of the body, coupling it with a healthy diet is equally important. A person must take care of his or her dieting habits to put a control on the occurrence of ailments [Natural healing].
A hygienic food intake and good sitting posture will never lead you the pathetic condition of backaches. Moreover, because it is evident that many people are suffering from problems of continuous aches in the back it is widely recommended to get a good deal of vitamin D and calcium supplementation.
Lastly, one should not perform breathing exercises and yoga postures in a wrong manner for they only breed in health hazards instead of benefits.
Everyone, no matter how careful you are, somehow consumes minute traces of toxins each day. Foods may contain tiny amounts of herbicides or pesticides in addition to growth hormones and various preservatives. Food dyes, chemicals, fillers and even tranquilizers and antibiotics have been found in food. Polluting your body has never been easier. That is why you need to detoxify your body on occasion for optimal health and performance.
These toxins can build up in your body, particularly in naturally detoxifying organs such as the kidneys, liver and even the skin. If these organs are compromised, so is your health. The good news is there are a few natural detoxification products that can help regulate your digestive system as well as cleanse the body. The result is a stronger immune system and the ability to fight off infection and disease. There is no need to follow any professed detoxifying diets as many of them are devoid of essential nutrients. By just adding a few key foods into your diet, your body will undergo a natural detoxification.
1. Flaxseed – Flaxseed has several properties which are beneficial for the body, with detoxifying properties being one of them. The natural oils of this flaxseed lubricate your intestinal walls so that any toxins are absorbed by the oil and then eliminated by the body rather than absorbed into the intestine itself. In addition, flaxseed provides both soluble as well as insoluble fiber which provides the bulk necessary to maintain function as well as “scrub” the intestinal walls of biological waste so that it can be eliminated normally.
2. Green Foods – The antioxidants and chlorophyll from green leafy vegetables in addition to blue green algae and spirulina bacteria help detoxify the body of pesticides, herbicides and heavy metal accumulation in the body. In addition, these green options cleanse the liver which helps in screening out the harmful effects of cleaning products and even smog. Good green food to incorporate includes Swiss shard, kale, dark green leafy lettuce, spinach, barley and wheatgrass.
3. Citrus Foods – Citrus fruits are one of the best ways to detoxify your body. Full of antioxidants and other beneficial nutrients, vitamin C is a powerful detox vitamin found in all citrus. Fruits like lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruits work to not only flush toxins away but also kick start the enzyme processes in the digestive tract. Vitamin C basically latches onto the different toxins in your body and turns them into something that can be digested and eliminated. Drinking hot tea with lemon, freshly squeezed lemonade or orange juice can boost your detoxification process.
4. Psyllium – Often found in diet fiber additives in powder and capsule form, psyllium husks aid in the digestion and elimination process. Psyllium bulks up your stool with increased water content which also makes the stool softer and easier to pass. This fiber additive forms a gelatinous mass which absorbs any toxins that pass through your digestive tract.
5. Natural Sulfur-Based Foods – Eaten raw or processed through a juicer, there are a number of vegetables containing sulfur compounds that aid the liver in detoxifying your body. Onions, cabbage, broccoli, garlic, brussel sprouts, kale, artichokes, beets and cauliflower contain sulfur as well as glutathione, a strong antioxidant which helps neutralize the toxins from food and the environment. Spices like oregano and turmeric also are helpful.
Whether you choose one natural detoxification product or a combination of them, you may have to experiment. Depending on the level or type of detoxification you need depends on which products you consume. For instance, if your bowels do not eliminate regularly, you will want to concentrate on the psyllium and flaxseed. However, if you are regularly exposed to smog, cigarette smoke, pesticide or herbicides, a combination of products with strong antioxidant properties like citrus, green and sulfur based foods would be best.
Exercise is a key factor in improving both memory and mood after whole-brain radiation treatments in rodents, according to data presented by Duke University scientists at the Society for Neuroscience meeting. “This is the first demonstration that exercise can prevent a decline in memory after whole-brain radiation treatment,” said lead researcher and graduate student Sarah Wong-Goodrich of the Duke Department of Psychology and Neuroscience.
Triple intervention enforces message at home, school and in the community, researchers say
TUESDAY, Oct. 6 (HealthDay News) — A family, school and community intervention program improved children’s eating and exercise habits and reduced the amount of time they spent in front of the television, a U.S. study has found.
The eight-month program, called The Switch, included 1,323 third-, fourth- and fifth-graders at 10 schools in Lakeville, Minn., and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The program was developed by the Minneapolis-based National Institute on Media and the Family (NIMF). Read more
Bees have obviously been around for a long time. My knowledge of bees was that they produced honey, which I like, and give stings, which I don’t. But it turns out that even the stings have beneficial properties.
There is a growing number of people that practice apitherapy, the use of beehive products, which includes honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly and bee venom. Apitherapy has been around for a long time. In fact, Hippocrates, the Greek physician and philosopher, used bee venom to treat joint pain and swelling. But it is not just the holistic practitioners that use bee venom for treatment of pain and inflammation but those who practice conventional medicine have also been exploring the use of bee venom for treating a wide variety of conditions including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis, chronic back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.
Honeybee venom contains 40 ingredients, at least 18 of which reduce pain and inflammation. These include mellitin, an anti-inflammatory agent which is one hundred times stronger than cortisone, adolapin, which is both anti-inflammatory and pain-blocking, dopamine and seratonin. It is believed that the combination of substances in bee venom causes the release of natural healing compounds in the body.
A study conducted by researchers in South Korea published in late 2004 delved into the contribution of mellitin. They found that mellitin inhibited the release of inflammatory genes that are involved in immune reactions. They concluded that “The potency of melittin in the inhibition of the inflammatory response may be of great benefit in degenerative and inflammatory diseases such as RA”.
Traditionally, bee venom was administered with live bees. For many people, the treatment, or the thought of getting stung, was a hindrance to trying this therapy. Manyapitherapy patients, however, find that the relief from their chronic pain far outweighs the discomfort from stings. Some of these patients endure up to 80 bee stings a day, although for most three to four stings, three times a week is effective. There are also injectable forms of venom, as well as creams and ointments.
Here are a couple of good resources: Bees Don’t Get Arthritis
Originally posted 2007-10-30 12:43:03. Republished by Old Post Promoter
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