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Managing Sexual Misinformation

Sex, as a novelty, is not the best way to break the ice. This subject is still considered taboo for some conservative countries. Much more so is the suggestion of incorporating sex-related education and learning into the scholastic educational program.

Previous U.S. Cosmetic Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders at a Community Health Centers of Arkansas summit on health care stated that the lack of sex education and learning in the nation is “deafening” and also it makes kids susceptible to sexual assault and also venereal diseases. She added that the nation is “paying a very heavy price for not educating our youngsters.” She also claimed that abstinence-only sex education and learning programs are impractical, including in it “abstinence-only programs that do not educate birth control will certainly not resolve the issue.”

Researches reveal that the majority of the young people today that end up being sexually active, participate in the act without accurate information about reproductive health and wellness. This deficiency of details can raise the threat of unintended maternity and/or sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Sexual wellness education and learning can be one ways of helping youngsters protect against these problems and also enhance their future reproductive wellness. To learn more about std and how std testing works, check out this website knowmystatus.life.

According to a professional on teen wellness, sex education programs might be the only manner in which the young people can find out exact details about reproductive health. Sex education and learning programs may use the only setting in which youths can acquire the abilities necessary to maintain great reproductive health and wellness.

Misinformation and also misunderstandings concerning perception, household preparation, and also Sexually Transmitted Disease threats abound amongst young people. In Jamaica, study conducted by the University of the West Indies as well as FHI’s Women’s Research Project discovered that a team of young people had little understanding concerning reproductive wellness concerns. The research study checked concerning 500 trainees, ages 11 to 14, as they began an in-school family life education and learning program designed to postpone initial pregnancy. Students in this group were taken into consideration to be at high-risk for very early sexual activity.

As a result of the lack of details on sex as well as exactly how to deal with its consequences, a lot of our young people either have undesirable pregnancies and/or STDs, and they do not know what to do. Additional conversation on this matter is necessary, and that’s where sexual wellness clinics play an important role.

A sexual health facility is a facility that concentrates on treating sexually-related problems. Sexual wellness clinics have been known as venereal disease (VD) centers, sexually transmitted condition (Sexually Transmitted Disease) facilities as well as genito-urinary medicine (GUM TISSUE) centers. Practically every sexual wellness clinic will, at least, have one public health nurse that can talk about sex-related problems with visitors as well as individuals and also supply referrals to area firms for extra information. Larger facilities may have a full medical team that can supply a complete range of sexuality-related examination services, including screening for, security from or treatment of STDs, as well as probably even emotional therapy. Really few sexual health and wellness clinics offer abortion services.

The greatest concern for a great deal of individuals is the issue of confidentiality. GUM TISSUE clinics know this matter, and also take every action to protect every person’s personal privacy. All material connecting to every go to is completely personal as well as will certainly never ever be provided to anybody who shouldn’t see it. If the individual would certainly prefer, they do not even have to give their name.

Where the school’s responsibility to notify children of reproductive health and wellness ends, that’s where the sexual wellness facility’s responsibility begins. Being sexually active is a choice and it have to me made with utmost care. Know the realities before you enter the bandwagon and take part in sex.

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STD Overview: Common STD Signs and Symptoms

Sexually transmitted diseases are rising nowadays when even more individuals have started participating in multiple sexual partnerships. They might rule out this morally wrong but the fact stays that such individuals are much more susceptible to sex-related illness. Nonetheless, if sadly one gets infected by any type of such illness, it is far better to start condition as soon as possible for these conditions have the potential to wreck your whole life. Individuals commonly are humiliated as well as scared to disclose their issue to others even to their friends but they fall short to understand that postponing diagnose is endangering with their life. Therefore, as soon as you are afraid a sexually transmitted infection, come close to a physician.

This post notifies the readers about particular primary STDs and also their signs and symptoms.

1. AIDS as well as HIV

- Transmitted through- AIDS and also HIV are two more or les related diseases. The HIV means the ‘human immunodeficiency infection’ and the disease that spreads out through it is called AIDS i.e. 'acquired immune deficiency syndrome’. HIV trips via blood. It can be sent from one HIV favorable individual to his partner with sex. It can also pass on from the HIV favorable mommy to her kid via contaminated breast milk and also even from an infected syringe or other devices that enter into call with the blood of the HIV positive to any type of various other person who is treated with the same devices.

- Symptoms- weak immune system and vulnerable to a lot more infections than normal. HIV gets equated to AIDS when the HIV individual acquires a certain a measure disease.

- Preventive Measures- not much offered yet. However prevent taking medicines. Maintain health.

2. Chlamydia

- Infected using- the germs Chlamydia trachomatis is the source of this infection. Once this microorganism enters the person’s body it affects his mucous membranes, eyelids and even reproductive tissues.

- Signs- the signs and symptoms Chlamydia usually puzzled with an additional comparable STD called Gonorrhea and also despite Conjunctivitis as a result of eyelid infection. The typical signs to this disease are discomfort during sex, burning as well as abnormal discharge. Chlamydia can be with no common signs also.

- Prevention- the illness is curable. As a precautionary measure one must maintain hygiene throughout sex and also get medical check up performed in order to avoid infection.

3. Pelvic Inflammatory Illness- usually ladies are afflicted by this disease. It is a an infection in the top genital tract as well as reproductive organs consisting of ovaries, womb and fallopian tubes.

- Spreads with- Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are the two Sexually transmitted diseases that are frequently responsible for this disease. Females between 15 to 25 years old are much more prone to be infected by it. Excess douching can additionally result in PID for it cleanses the naturally helpful bacteria from the women’s vagina.

- Signs and symptoms- When ailing PID, ladies might experience pain during intercourse, burning as well as even high temperature.

- Safety measures as well as Cures- antibiotics serve to cure PID. But it is recommended to obtain frequent check ups done as well as in situation the condition is discovered medications and appropriate therapy ought to begin the actual moment for PID can be all of a sudden unsafe in later stages.

4. Gonorrhea- contaminates the individual’s sensitive cells of reproductive system.

- An individual can acquire this illness via all sorts of sexual contacts like foreplay.

- Indications- the indicators to Gonorrhea are very couple of which makes everything the harder to settle it therefore stop it from being transferred from one to the various other person through sex. Signs are akin to Chlamydia so the two conditions are reliant be perplexed with each other. A person struggling with Gonorrhea experiences unusual discharge, burning, pain during sexual activity, swelling, high temperature and also other infections like women might have blood loss in between periods.

- Preventions and Safety and security- therapy must begin in preliminary stages to treat Gonorrhea. Those that are rather energetic in their sex-related life ought to obtain inspect ups done on a regular basis to be on a more secure side.

In addition to these there are numerous other Sexually transmitted diseases not reviewed below like Liver disease, Scabies, Herpes, Syphilis, HPV etc. which are most typical in ones. It is better to acquire information concerning them as soon as you are sexually active as well as consult a gynecologist from time to time to avoid from all sort of Sexually transmitted diseases.

Get Started with STD Testing

Getting STD test can be fast and also easy. Depending on what you are being tested for, your service provider might take a blood example, a swab, or ask you to pee in a mug. Easy!If you are sexually active, getting tested for Sexually transmitted diseases is just one of the most important things you can do to secure your health and wellness. To know more about std testing information and visit the nearest testing center near you area, visit website knowmystatus.life for more std related information.

Make sure you’re open as well as honest discussion concerning your sex-related background and also Sexually Transmitted Disease testing with your medical professional as well as ask whether you need to be evaluated for Sexually transmitted diseases. If you are not comfortable talking with your routine health care service provider about STDs, there are numerous centers that supply private as well as cost-free or low-cost testing.

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Baby Shower Gift Baskets – Practical But Perfect

Baby Shower Gift Baskets – Practical But Perfect

So you have received a special invitation to attend a friend’s baby shower party, now headache time wondering what gift to purchase for the expectant mother. Do not worry you will have no problem in deciding as the list for what to buy for new born babies are endless.

The best idea worth considering when giving presents is to give several of them in a baby shower gift basket. You will be certain that one of the goodies you placed into the basket will surprise and excite the receiver. In a Gift basket expect to find all sorts from blankets, undergarments, changing pads, teething toy, soft toys, hats, sleeping gowns, cuddly bears and more.

Contents of a gift basket are very useful for mum-to-be for when she brings the new arrival home. Your particular gift basket can be made up by yourself but if you prefer there are people who are trained in this department and fully aware of the needs of mother/baby. Expect to find gift basket organizers to be mothers themselves which is better as they know what is best to help mother when raising the baby.

Baby gift shower baskets are a wonderful present to bestow. The variety of essentials contained in the basket for baby’s well being is warmly welcomed. Themes and styles are normally used in the presentation of a Baby shower gift basket. You have bath time goody baskets filled with towels, comb, hairbrush, baby soaps and smellies like talcum powder. Then we have the beddy bye creel laden with hanging mobiles, cuddly toys, bedding, and fairy tale books.

Prices of a gift basket differ; total cost depends on items chosen to fill the baby shower gift basket. White lemon and peach are colours that trail behind blue and pink for most popular shades behind a theme. If the sex of the baby is unknown when you place your order for the baby gift basket then opt for white or lemon this way you can not go wrong.

Baby shower gift baskets can be bought online if time is a problem for you. Online shopping for gift baskets is so simple you even get to see what is included in the baby gift basket before you make a purchase. Prettily packaged, gift wrapped and tied with bows is how the finished product looks. Do not forget to place a card inside with a personal greeting from you to mother and baby wishing them both well.

I would like to put my penny worth in and break tradition. I would fill the basket with envelopes containing gift vouchers for different mother/baby shops. This way no headache trying to decide on what gifts for inside the basket and no headache for the mother in returning presents that are not to her taste. A happy Mother-to-be is one with a fist full of vouchers before the birth or after.

That’s what I call getting it right.

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Pediatric Migraines

Pediatric Migraines is courtesy of: https://iaohs.com/

Pediatric Migraines

Children get migraines, too, they are not a condition confined to adulthood.. Studies have even indicated that infants may get migraines, but this is hard to verify.

Current estimates indicate that up to 10% of children between 5-15 years old suffer from migraines, increasing to 28% in the 15-19 age range. Migraine headaches have a real impact on quality of life for children. The high percentage of children that experience migraines makes them a top childhood health problems.

Diagnosing pediatric migraine is similar to diagnosing adult migraines with a few notable exceptions. The International Headache Society’s criteria states that the headache must last 4 to 72 hours. Children’s migraines are generally shorter and this fact needs to be taken into account when attempting to diagnose them. Adult migraines are frequently one-sided, but children’s frequently involve pain on both sides of the head. These headaches should not be dismissed just because they are not one-sided.

For most child migraineurs (people suffering from migrainous headaches) the headaches begin between 5 and 11 years of age. Prior to puberty, the number of male and female children with migraines is roughly equal. After puberty, girls are considerably more likely than boys are to have migraines, most likely due to the same hormonal issues that make the number of adult women migraineurs three times that of the men.

Many child migraineurs are fortunate enough to have their condition disappear during puberty or upon reaching adulthood. However, people who have migraines as children are much more likely to become adult migraineurs than those who did not have them as a child.

Adult migraine sufferers should watch for migraine symptoms in their children, particular if the other parent also experiences migraines. A child with two migraineur parents has a 70% chance of becoming a migraineur.

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Effective Acupuncture Treatments before Surgery

Effective Acupuncture Treatments before Surgery is available on: IAOHS migraine treatment

Effective Acupuncture Treatments before Surgery

There are times in which our health necessitates us going in for surgery for one reason or another. For some of us, it may be what is referred to as a routine procedure but for others, the surgery that we are going through may be life altering and very severe. Regardless of why we are going in for the surgery or of how severe the treatment, acupuncture is one way that has been used to help us to get through the process easier. What different things can acupuncture do for us when we need to have surgery?

Acupuncture has actually been used for thousands of years but it is only recently become popular in the westernized world. As more people are using the procedure, they are finding that it benefits us in many different ways. One of the ways in which it benefits us is through pain management and by keeping our body in a balanced state. The entire concept of Chi, the energy that flows through our body and of the balance that needs to exist in all things is what brought about the art of acupuncture. Now, they're using this ancient Chinese medicine in order to help us when we are undergoing surgery.

Acupuncture can be administered before and after surgery as a way to reduce the amount of pain that an individual is feeling. As a matter of fact, it is sometimes administered during surgery in order to keep the individual from feeling some of the pain of the surgery itself. Not only is it available to block pain to a certain extent, it is able to help us to heal so that we have a shorter recovery time that involves less pain. It also keeps us from having to take too much pain medication during that time.

Another thing that acupuncture is able to do is to reduce the amount of nausea that is experienced by women who are undergoing breast surgery. Nausea is a fairly common side effect that is felt by these women but acupuncture is able to overcome some of the discomfort and negative experiences that they may have.

As we continue to learn more about the benefits of using acupuncture during surgery, it's hard to tell how frequently it will be used in order to control pain and to help keep the body in a balanced condition.

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Useful Tips For Sufferers Of Back Pain

Useful Tips For Sufferers Of Back Pain is courtesy of: https://www.iaohs.com/

It is estimated that anywhere from 70 to 85 of all adult men and women will experience some degree of back pain at some point during their life. Back pain can be caused by medical conditions, injuries, or even poor posture. This selection of tips and tricks will help you to more effectively manage your back pain.

Back pain comes in many forms. Make sure you know exactly what type of pain you are trying to relieve. Did you lift something wrong or twist the wrong way? Or are you just getting old? Each different type of pain will need different methodologies.

In order to avoid back pain, avoid sitting for extended periods of time. Sitting is bad for your back. If you must sit at a desk all day, get up every so often and stretch or walk around. Likewise, if you spend a lot of time in the car, take frequent breaks so that you can stretch your legs.

Believe it or not, sleep is actually an essential part of healing from back injuries. Your body does most of its repair work at night when you are relaxed and sleeping and can dedicate all of your energy to healing. If you are experiencing chronic back pain, then good sleep is as important as good medicine.

Do not wear a shoe with a heel over one inch. If heels higher than this are worn, the wearer's center of gravity shifts. This causes back strain and pain. It can become chronic pain if high heels are worn often. If they must be worn, limiting the amount of time spent in them will help decrease the chance of pain and injury.

Know when to see a doctor. Many people try to handle their back pain by themselves, and that usually works for a time, but a doctor can be an invaluable source of information and relief. A doctor can do tests that determine the cause of your back pain, as well as, prescribe medicine to soothe your pain.

Getting a bone density test and checked for vitamin deficiencies may help you fight back pain from the inside out! Your back pain may be worsened or even caused by certain internal elements that only your doctor can see so get checked for good bone health to determine if your back pain can be helped with supplements, a specific diet or prescribed treatment.

Stop when your back hurts. People who suffer with chronic back pain sometimes try to work through the pain or to keep going when their back hurts. This can make your back pain worse and increase any damage you've already done. Always take the opportunity to rest for a while so that you don't hurt your back further.

Whether you are suffering from back pain caused by a sports injury, on-the-job accident, or preexisting medical condition, follow the advice from this article to keep your pain levels in check. Hopefully, you will gain insight into your treatment options and alternatives for achieving long-term relief from your pain and suffering.

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Allergy’s Favorite Symptoms

Allergy’s Favorite Symptoms

If allergies had a top ten list of their favorite symptoms what would be on it? Would they prefer life threatening or just really annoying?

The most common symptoms, that may or may not be on their favorites list:

Breathing problems.

This one should be fun for an allergy. It really gets the persons attention. Nothing like the lack of oxygen to center a person’s attention on the allergy.

Burning, watery or itchy eyes.

This symptom falls into the really annoying category. It could cause additional problems if you can’t see where you’re going.

Red, swollen eyes, also called Conjunctivitis.

Certainly annoying, but most people can deal with this one.

Coughing.

This one gets old real quick. And a constant cough quickly becomes painful.

Diarrhea.

This one might start out in the annoying category, but left unchecked could switch to the life threatening section very quickly.

Headache.

Depending on the severity of the headache, this one might be tolerable.

Hives.

This symptom is not only annoying and uncomfortable (possibly painful) it draws the attention of strangers on the street.

Itchy nose, mouth, throat or skin.

Another in the category of really annoying. An itch that can’t be soothed is one of the most annoying things there is.

Runny nose.

Yeah, this one could cause problems with other people. No one likes to hear someone constantly sniffing or blowing their nose. Makes people wonder what germs you’re spreading around.

Skin rashes.

Possibly ugly to look at, but tolerable

The post Allergy’s Favorite Symptoms appeared first on .

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Neck Pain: Nature, Causes and Treatments

The following article Neck Pain: Nature, Causes and Treatments is republished from: https://integratedpainmanagement.com/

How to deal with stiffy neck pain?

For most of us who spend numerous hours of working in the office, we tend to ignore some of the early sings of neck pain. While we’re passionate about getting things done and providing excellent output, we should also equally care for the overall well-being of our bodies. This is why it’s quite necessary to fully know the nature of neck pain, so we could figure out the main treatments to counter the condition.

Most importantly, we must also have a musculoskeletalprofessional to look out for us. This way we can have an expert who can best examine our conditions and provide the most effective options for our treatments. It’s understandably debilitating to experience neck and shoulder pain, so it’s necessary for you to consider all means possible to prevent scenarios of pain to frequently happen.

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There are a multitude of causes contributing to headaches and neck pain ranging from overuse or injury of the delicate soft tissue of the neck region to more generalized factors such as occupation, physical, or emotional stress.  A long list of other causes can lead to this widespread condition, as well.  Recent research suggests that frequently, the causative factors are multilayered and not simply the result of one specific reason.

  Pain is often a warning sign from your body and serves the purpose of getting your brain’s attention. For this reason, acute and chronic pain resulting from headaches and neck pain should be taken seriously.  It is always a good idea to consult your primary health care provider and make a concentrated effort to determine the cause of your specific condition.  It is often necessary to seek help from a specialist who deals specifically with the type of headache that you are experiencing.

  Millions of people find relief from pain and discomfort by utilizing the services of Alternative and Holistic health care providers who treat the body as a whole.  These natural practitioners may often recommend lifestyle changes or nutritional therapies as well.

  Health care providers such as Doctors of Chiropractic and licensed Massage Therapists specialize in treating headaches and neck pain that are due to musculoskeletal imbalance and dysfunction.

  Fortunately, there are some things that you can do on your own, naturally, to help ease the pain and discomfort due to a specific type of headache known as a tension headache.  Tension headaches are characterized by a band of tightness, pressure or pain around the forehead, temples, and back of the head.  Frequently, the pain or pressure in the head is accompanied by stiffness, pain or discomfort in the neck and upper back region.

  Often, the pain begins as tightness in the neck and shoulder region and gradually progresses to a full blown headache that can be severe and disrupt every aspect of your busy day.  These headaches can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several days and can dramatically decrease the quality of your life and your energy level.

  If the above scenario sounds familiar to you, the following information could help you take charge of your health and possibly prevent the frustration and challenges related to tension headaches and neck pain in the future.

  Perhaps the most important thing that you can do to end the vicious cycle of muscle related pain is to simply listen to the constant feedback that your amazing body is constantly providing you.  If you find yourself in a stressful situation, make an effort to stop, take a few deep diaphragmatic breaths and tune into your physical body.

  Most of us have “trigger points” or localized areas of tenderness and tightness in our neck, shoulders, and upper back that serve as red flags or reminders that we are entering into a cycle of muscle tension due to stress.  Almost everyone has specific, localized areas that seem to flare up in these areas when they are tired, overworked, or experiencing negative emotions.

  If we simply try to ignore these trigger points, they usually increase in strength and become more knotted, tight, and painful, significantly decreasing blood flow and the flow of oxygen and energy to all parts of your body.  Often, if we are thinking negative and unproductive thoughts, we are attracting even more stress and tension to ourselves simply by repeating old neural patterns and mental scripts.

  When your body perceives a situation as being stressful, it reacts the same as it would to an imminent physical threat. At these times, you may experience some of the same symptoms that are a specific response to the “fight or flight” instinct that helps protect us in times of danger.

  These instincts (such as rapid breathing and tightening of your muscles to prepare for flight) come in handy if you are being chased by a bear in the woods, but only make matters worse when you are stuck in a traffic jam or dealing with high stress deadlines and events.

  We have all noticed people in stressful situations grab and squeeze the muscles of the upper shoulder near the neck when they are feeling tense and frustrated.  Perhaps this is something that you do on a regular basis while sitting at your desk or computer or talking on the phone.  You may even stretch your neck from side to side or sigh deeply.

  Using your hands and fingers to apply pressure to tight, knotted muscles is a natural response from your innately intelligent body that can help instantly relieve pain and pressure and begin the process of relaxation.  Your body gets your attention by sending signals of pain and you recognize and respond to this warning sign by applying acupressure (localized sustained pressure) to specific areas, often without even being aware that you are doing it.

  This pressure helps relax and flatten the muscle and keeps the kinks and spasms from knotting up even more. There are many other ways to keep the cycle of muscle spasm and pain from accelerating rapidly. Taking the time to practice meditation or deep breathing, getting a good spinal adjustment or massage, or engaging in cardiovascular exercise can all make a profound difference.

  Luckily, there are several safe and effective self care tools that you can use in the privacy of your own home to immediately relieve trigger point pain and prevent tension headaches originating from muscle spasm.

  Anyone who has experienced the frustration, challenges, and obstacles that accompany neck pain and headaches can attest to the fact that they can literally control your life and take the fun out of living. Although the causes of headaches and neck pain are numerous, sometimes the sufferer gets lucky by finding one solution to their problem. Hopefully, the information above may just the weapon you need to help yourself or someone you love change their life for the better by permanently eliminating tension headaches and neck pain.

After identifying the nature, challenges and other associated treatment which are applicable to neck pain, there may be some other queries which come to the minds of patients. It helps to be further informed about the factors concerning neck pain, so they may be guided with the treatments to fit them.

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Common Questions about Neck Pain

I woke up with neck pain. What can I do?

Daily life (and night life) can take its toll on your neck. You may have slept wrong last night, causing your neck muscles to tighten. The best thing to do is give your body time to heal on its own. To get through the day without letting the pain interfere with your normal activities, you have a few options.

Gently stretch your neck.

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Take over-the-counter pain medications, such as Tylenol or Advil.            

Alternate between heat and ice treatments on your neck: 20 minutes of heat followed by 20 minutes of ice should help the pain and the healing process.

  Will I need surgery?

Most patients with neck pain respond well to non-surgical treatments (such as medication), so cervical spine surgery is seldom needed to treat it. In fact, less than 5% of neck pain patients need surgery. However, there are situations when you may want to go ahead with spine surgery.

Non-surgical treatment is not helping—that is, you've tried a combination of chiropractic care, physical therapy, medication, massage, exercises, and more, and you're still in pain.

You experience progressive neurological symptoms (numbness, tingling, weakness) involving your arms and legs.

You're having trouble with balance or walking.

You are otherwise in good health.

Generally, surgery is done for degenerative disc disease, trauma, or spinal instability. These conditions may put pressure on your spinal cord or on the nerves coming from the spine.

  What kinds of surgery are used for neck pain?

Typically, surgeons use 2 surgical techniques for cervical spine surgery.

  Decompression, where they remove tissue pressing against a nerve structure

Stabilization, where they work to limit motion between vertebrae

There are different types of decompression procedures such as discectomy, corpectomy, and

TransCorporeal MicroDecompression (TCMD).

  Discectomy: The surgeon removes all or part of a damaged disc.

Corpectomy: The vertebral body is removed to access whatever is compressing the spinal cord or nerve.

TransCorporeal MicroDecompression (TCMD): The surgeon accesses the cervical spine from the front of the neck. TCMD is performed through a small channel made in the vertebral body to access and decompress the spinal cord and nerve.

Your surgeon will determine what's best for your condition.

Stabilization surgery is sometimes—but not always—done at the same time as a decompression surgery. In some forms of decompression surgery, the surgeon may need to remove a large portion of the vertebra or vertebrae. That results in an unstable spine, meaning that it moves in abnormal ways, and that puts you more at risk for serious neurological injury. In that case, the surgeon will restabilize the spine. Commonly, this is done with a fusion and spinal instrumentation, or implantation of an artificial disc.

  Some patients are at high-risk for poor bone healing or unsuccessful fusion. Smoking and diabetes are two of several risk factors that impede bone healing and fusion. A bone growth stimulator may be recommended and prescribed for patients with certain risk factors.

  What are some non-surgical options for treating my neck pain?

Less than 5% of neck pain patients will need surgery, and there are a lot of options for you to try before surgery.

Acupuncture, herbal remedies, massage, yoga, and Pilates

Chiropractic care

Medication

Physical therapy

Neck pain has its corresponding treatments, from its basic to most extreme forms. This is why it’s necessary to definitely be informed about the nature of this condition, so you may be better guided in countering it. Integrated Pain Management is composed of doctors who specialize in Musculoskeletal pain. They also take on the personal and complete approach, so patients are assured of more targeted, highly effective treatments.

Learn more about our Neck Pain Treatments here

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Treatments and Diagnosis of Back Pain

The blog post Treatments and Diagnosis of Back Pain is courtesy of: Integrated Pain Management Blog

Symptoms and Alternative Treatment for Lower Back Pain

Back pain is a condition which is quite tough to endure, as it gets in the way of one’s daily activities. To prevent yourself from feeling restrained due to this type of pain, it would be highly helpful for you to know its causes and remedies. Furthermore, it is also necessary to have the services of a musculoskeletal professional on stand-by. This way your doctor may thoroughly figure out the cause of your pain, and applicable treatments may be made for your recovery.

There are many reasons which pertain to back pain. Several factors may be due to a person’s lifestyle or hereditary traits which may affect his or her posture. Either way, it is highly necessary to fully know the nature of back pain towards its effective sets of treatments.

First seen on (http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain/lower-back-pain-symptoms-diagnosis-and-treatment)

Lower back pain can be caused by a variety of problems with any parts of the complex, interconnected network of spinal muscles, nerves, bones, discs or tendons in the lumbar spine. Typical sources of low back pain include:

The large nerve roots in the low back that go to the legs may be irritated

The smaller nerves that supply the low back may be irritated

The large paired lower back muscles (erector spinae) may be strained

The bones, ligaments or joints may be damaged

An intervertebral disc may be degenerating

An irritation or problem with any of these structures can cause lower back pain and/or pain that radiates or is referred to other parts of the body. Many lower back problems also cause back muscle spasms, which don't sound like much but can cause severe pain and disability.

While lower back pain is extremely common, the symptoms and severity of lower back pain vary greatly. A simple lower back muscle strain might be excruciating enough to necessitate an emergency room visit, while a degenerating disc might cause only mild, intermittent discomfort.

Common Lower Back Pain Causes in Adults

Certain causes of lower back pain have a tendency to occur more often in younger individuals versus older adults:

Younger adults (30 to 60 year olds) are more likely to experience back pain from the disc space itself (e.g. lumbar disc herniation or degenerative disc disease) or from a back muscle strain or other soft tissue strain.

Older adults (over 60) are more likely to suffer from pain related to joint degeneration (such as osteoarthritis or spinal stenosis) or from a compression fracture.

 When to Seek Immediate Treatment for Lower Back Pain

 Most cases of low back pain do not require urgent care, but anyone should see a doctor immediately if low back pain is a result of trauma, or if pain is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

Fever and chills

Unexplained recent weight loss

Significant leg weakness

Sudden bowel and/or bladder incontinence—either difficulty passing urine or having a bowel movement, or loss of control of urination or bowel movement (cauda equina syndrome)

Severe, continuous abdominal pain (abdominal aortic aneurysm)

In cases where immediate treatment is a required, physicians will investigate possible serious causes of the pain, including any type of spinal infection, tumor or fracture

Lower Back Pain Treatment

Treatment for lower back pain depends upon the patient's history and the type and severity of pain. The vast majority of lower back pain cases get better within six weeks without surgery, and lower back pain exercises are almost always part of a treatment plan.

If pain persists or worsens, more involved diagnostic and surgical procedures may be recommended.

Rest. Ceasing activity for a few days allows injured tissue and even nerve roots to begin to heal, which in turn will help relieve lower back pain. However, more than a few days of rest can lead to a weakening of the muscles, and weak muscles have to struggle to adequately support the spine. Patients who do not regularly exercise to build strength and flexibility are more likely to experience recurrent or prolonged lower back pain.

Heat and Ice Packs. Heat and/or cold therapy helps relieve most types of low back pain by reducing inflammation. Often patients use ice, but some prefer heat. Both may be used alternately.

Medications. A wide variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications is available to help reduce lower back pain. Many medications reduce inflammation, which is often a cause of pain, while others work to inhibit the transmission of pain signals from reaching the brain. Each medication has multiple unique risks, possible side effects and drug (or food or supplement) interactions, which need to be evaluated by a physician.

Exercise for Lower Back Pain. Exercise is a key element of almost any lower back pain treatment plan. Typically an exercise program will be developed and taught by a spine health professional, such as a physical therapist, chiropractor, or physiatrist, and will include three components: aerobic conditioning, stretching, and strengthening. The exercises are best done through a controlled, progressive program, with the goal of building toward a stronger, more flexible spine.

Low Impact Aerobic Exercise. In addition to exercises specific to the lower back, any low impact aerobic exercise, such as walking, is often an ideal exercise for the lower back because it helps bring oxygen to the soft tissues in the back to promote healing. Swimming or water exercise has the same effect and is an excellent option if walking is too painful.

 Chiropractic Adjustment (also called Chiropractic Manipulation) can help improve spinal function by decreasing pain and inflammation to increase range of motion and physical function. Manual manipulation is also commonly performed by osteopathic physicians.

The above is not an exhaustive list of all possible treatments for lower back pain, but does include the most common treatments. It is advisable for patients to seek a diagnosis from their primary care physician, chiropractor, or a spine specialist (such as a physiatrist) to determine the underlying cause of their lower back pain and seek appropriate treatment.

If you are experiencing the early signs of back pain, there are also remedies which can prove to be effective to alleviate your pain. With a few lifestyle changes, it would be possible for you to see the improvements on your back.

First seen on (http://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-pain/reduce-back-pain-guide#2)

Sleeping Habits

If you frequently find yourself waking in the morning to a sore back, you may want to examine your sleep habits.

Position: Your preferred sleep position may be causing more harm than good. Poor habits—and unwanted pain—can be alleviated by placing a pillow between your knees.

Pillows: Too many or not enough pillows can put strain on your neck, because this takes your spine out of alignment.

Technique: Before rushing off to the shower, consider a few moments of deep-breathing and stretching in bed. When you’re ready to rise, you want to do so gently. Roll to your side, bending hips and knees, and use both hands to push your body into a seated position.

Diet, Weight, & Water

Healthy diet is important for a healthy back. Hand-in-hand with proper nutrition is maintaining a healthy weight, which puts less stress on your joints and back. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, most adults are not getting enough calcium and vitamin D, both of which maintain strong bones.

A diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, as well as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, energizes your body and powers your muscles. Drinking plenty of water helps reduce inflammation—the culprit of many conditions for chronic pain.

Gentle Exercise

Sticking to a regular exercise routine is a good way to strengthen your core. But be careful; rigorous, high-impact exercise may aggravate back pain if you have not trained to handle such high-impact workouts.

Take a walk. Exercise that gets your heart pumping is good. Aim for about 30 minutes—at least three times a week—of gentle aerobic exercise like brisk walking, jogging, or swimming.

Practice gentle stretches. Although it may take some time, if you maintain a regular routine, the benefits of stretching will help improve the extension of muscles and soft tissues in your back and reduce stiffness and pain.

Go in the water. Aquatic therapy is a low-impact activity that helps ease back pain. The natural resistance from the water promotes muscle strength and reduces pressure on your bones and joints. Even if you’re not swimming, you can walk in waist-high water or perform arm and leg exercises against the resistance of the water.

Mind-Body Approach

Using the mind to help treat illness is at the core of healing approaches like traditional Chinese medicine (based on restoring the flow of energy and imbalances of yin and yang)  and Ayurvedic medicine (which focuses on combining the body, mind, and spirit to prevent and treat disease). Mind-body techniques include:

Meditation: The benefits of mediation are many—focused attention, increased calmness, coping with illness, and an overall improvement of well-being.

Yoga: Focusing on body awareness and conscious breath work can relieve tension and is beneficial in providing back pain relief.

Acupuncture: This technique involves penetrating the skin with needles, hand manipulation, and/or electrical stimulation. Acupuncture is among the oldest healing practices in the world.

Tai Chi: This gentle exercise is effective in reducing back pain; the slow movements provide exercise while minimizing strain on the back.

All the mentioned details about back pain should give you a head start on countering the condition. You may also consider specific treatments which should prevent the triggers from pervasively affecting your health. Integrated Pain Management is composed of doctors who specialize in Musculoskeletal conditions. They also have the personalized approach, where patients will be having the treatments which exactly fit their health needs.

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Cure For A Hangover

The following article Cure For A Hangover is republished from: https://iaohs.com/

Cure For A Hangover

If you are looking around for a cure for a hangover, you are going to find a lot of strange advice. There is one surefire way to avoid a hangover, but all of the rest of the suggestions you find will be hit and miss. Some work for some people, and others won’t work at all. This is because everyone’s body is different, and you may find that what works for your friend won’t even touch the pain you are feeling in your head. You may have to experiment to find what works for you.

The best cure for a hangover is to not drink. I guarantee you won’t get a hangover if you don’t drink. I know this isn’t the answer most people are looking for but it works for me. If you don’t want to do that, there is one thing that seems to help a lot of people, and this is making sure you drink a few glasses of water before you go to bed. It might be a pain to get up to use the bathroom three times after you have done it, but it is better than the hangover. This cure for a hangover tends to help a lot because alcohol depletes the body of needed water, and if you drink the water, some of the side effects of dehydration disappear. Some hangovers are completely skipped if you take this step.

Another cure for a hangover I have heard is to take headache medication before you go to sleep. I wouldn’t advise doing this, and I don’t know if it helps. The problem with this cure for a hangover is that alcohol and most medications should not be mixed. You might end up with a problem way worse than a hangover. You may really want to skip that one and save the headache medication for the morning. If you wake up with a headache you can then take it.

I have heard of another cure for a hangover that seems to work, but I don’t know if I recommend it. Many like to have a drink in the morning. I’m not sure why this works, but it seems to work for some people. Though it is a cure for a hangover, it may make your problem worse. You are just putting more toxins into your body that your liver must deal with. This is why you might be feeling so run down. In essence, alcohol is a poison to your body and it must work to get rid of it. There may be nothing you can do for a sure fire cure for a hangover other than limiting the amount your drink or not drinking at all.

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Migraine, Brain Tumor and Seizure: A Differential Diagnosis

Migraine, Brain Tumor and Seizure: A Differential Diagnosis

The television series, House is widely enjoyed by millions of viewers all over the world. The concept of the show revolves around a brilliant diagnostician and his team of doctors who try to determine the illness of their patients to be able to provide the appropriate treatment. The method they utilize to uncover the mysteries of the patient’s condition is called differential diagnosis. In the field of medicine and health, conducting a differential diagnosis is very necessary since several illnesses may display similar symptoms. A differential diagnosis is therefore done by observing the various symptoms manifested by a patient; doing different types of medical examinations; and by interviewing the patient or his family regarding personal, medical and social histories. The main goal, therefore, of having a differential diagnosis is to avoid medical malpractice and to provide quality treatments for patients.

As mentioned earlier, several medical problems or illnesses may show similar symptoms or manifestations. This makes it more difficult for people and even physicians to identify treatment that should be provided. Such can be the case in conditions such as migraines, brain tumors, and seizure disorders. Among persons who suffer from migraine, it is of great importance to be knowledgeable of the causes and symptoms of this particular condition in relation to other illnesses such as brain tumors and seizure disorders that exhibit similar symptoms. Knowing the differences among the said medical conditions will help people to better understand and appreciate migraine remedies.

The main similarity between migraines, brain tumors and seizures is that all of these conditions affect the neurological system. These conditions should be given proper attention since these ailments affect the brain. Common manifestations or symptoms of migraines, brain tumors and seizures include: headache, aura, nausea, vomiting, problems with vision, weakness, changes in mood or behavior and negative reactions towards certain sensations (sight, hearing, smell, movement). Migraine headaches may, therefore, also be a result of abnormal electro-physiologic synchronization which occurs in seizures or maybe because of a damage in a particular tissue in the brain due to tumors. To identify the root of the problem is to determine the possible causes.

A situation similar to this is when a child manifests a difficulty in repeating words which can be a result of either difficulty in hearing, difficulty in moving the parts involved in talking or difficulty in understanding or processing the instruction which is to repeat the words.

Migraine is said to be caused by a possible disorder in the serotonergic control system. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain which regulates emotions such as anger and aggression, mood, appetite, sexuality and vomiting. Another cause of migraines can be attributed to the exposure to or withdrawal of certain “triggers” which can be environmental, chemical, hormonal or behavioral.

On the other hand, seizures are caused by abnormal electric activity in a group of brain cells. Causes of brain tumors are still undetermined. However, some studies show that a higher predominance of this condition is observed among those whose work include making contact with or exposure to high-chemical content substances. Just by observation, the differences among the three conditions cannot be easily determined. This is the reason why medical tests or evaluations are needed to be further done in the hope of acquiring more evidences that would lead or point to a certain condition. Among the tests that can be done are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT scan and electroencephalography (EEG). Conducting MRI and CT scan will show any abnormal cell growth within the brain while EEG recordings will determine unusual electrical activity in the brain. Any anomalies observed among the tests mentioned can rule out that the headaches due to migraine alone. However, when results of those tests indicate normal activity or conditions, conclusions still cannot be made. Further observation of the symptoms manifested needs to be done.

Though a lot of symptoms among migraines, brain tumors and seizures are similar, there are also certain differences which can be a main lead during differential diagnosis. Experiences of seeing auras usually occur only among those who have migraines and seizures. People with brain tumors do not usually have this. Existence of aura, therefore, can possibly rule out having brain tumors. Also, unlike symptoms of migraines and seizures which are episodic, symptoms of brain tumors happen more consistently. Symptoms of migraine such as headaches or feeling of nausea usually last from three hours to several days while those of seizures are usually of shorter duration only. Thus, suspicion of possible migraine condition can be more strongly supported when the symptoms remain for a long time.

Differential diagnosis, however, though recommended to be understood and applied by common people, are more valid when done by certain professionals such as doctors. Upon arriving to a certain conclusion, they are also the ones who can effectively prescribe the appropriate medication, remedy or management for the condition. In some instances, there is an overlap between the medications of seizures and migraine remedies. Among these are depakene, depakote topiramate and topamax. However, certain treatment only react effectively to the corresponding illness that they are made for. Also, aside from having no curative effects at all on the condition, taking the wrong medication could even worsen the problem. Thus, a thorough investigation of the situation should really be done to conduct a highly evidence-supported differential diagnosis and, as a result, allow doctors to identify the appropriate treatment.

The post Migraine, Brain Tumor and Seizure: A Differential Diagnosis appeared first on .

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Treatment of Wry Neck Pain

Treatment of Wry Neck Pain is courtesy of: Integrated Pain Management Services

Dealing With Neck Pain: Wry Neck

There are many reasons behind neck pain but the common things are the pain and discomfort. In our modern lives, there are stresses and strains that put the cervical spine and the neck’s mobility under pressure.The wear and tear of ligaments and some strain can lead to inflammation. When there is neck pain, its movement will be impaired. ‘Neck pain’ is used to generally refer to pain experienced around the neck region as a result of different causes. The fact that these problems are diverse is the main reason why it is important to see a qualified medical practitioner so that the problem can be dealt with appropriately. Let us look at one of the most common causes of neck pain and how to deal with it.

Wry Neck

Also known as torticollis, wry neck refers to a tilted and twisted neck. This means that the top of the head is tilted to one side while the chin is tilted to the other. This is a condition that is acquired and can also be congenital in some cases.While wry neck can disappear without any form of treatment, there is always a chance for relapse.

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Rear view of a young man holding her neck in pain, isolated on white background, monochrome photo with red as a symbol for the hardening

People with chronic wry neck are under uncomfortable pain and cannot handle daily tasks because of the condition. The good news is that the pain can be dealt with using therapy and medication.If the two methods do not treat the condition, surgery is a viable option and can be used in correcting the condition.

Wry Neck Causes

Wry neck can be inherited by a child from their parents. It can also be developed while the child is in the womb. This condition has also been found to be caused by a lack of supply of blood to neck and muscle damage. After a nervous system or muscle injury, anyone can develop this condition. The most common wry neck condition is idiopathic torticollis, which means that the cause behind the neck pain and neck pain symptoms is not known.

Fixed Torticollis

Fixed torticollis is also called acute torticollis or permanent torticollis. It’s usually due to a problem with the muscular or bony structure.

Muscular Torticollis

This is the most common type of fixed torticollis. It results from scarring or tight muscles on one side of the neck.

Klippel-Feil Syndrome

This is a congenital form of torticollis and is quite rare. The problem is caused by incorrect development of neck bones especially the fusion of two neck vertebrae. Most of the children that suffer from this condition also have a problem seeing and hearing.

Cervical Dystonia

Also referred to as spasmodic torticollis, this is a rare disorder that causes spasms in neck muscles. This leads to the painful turning of the head to one side.The head might also tilt backward or forward.This condition will go away without any form of treatment but there is a recurrence risk.Though this condition can happen to any person, people at middle age level are at a higher risk and the condition is more common in women.

Symptoms of Wry Neck Pain

Wry neck pain symptoms can begin slowly and worsen with time. The following are some of the common symptoms to look forward to:

Inability to normally move your head

Stiffness and neck pain

Headache

A shoulder being higher than the other

A tilted chin

Swollen muscles around the neck.

A child with congenital wry neck will have a face that appears unbalanced and flattened. They may also show vision and hearing difficulties as well as motor skill delays.

Wry Neck Pain Diagnosis

When you go to a doctor, they will want to check your medical history and take you through a physical exam.Remember to mention any injury to the neck or head if you have had any. There are several tests that the doctor can use to check for injuries. These include EMG which determines whether there are damaged muscles around the neck and imaging such as MRI and X-rays which are used in finding structural faults that might be behind the pain and symptoms.

Wry Neck Pain Treatment

Though there is no medical way to prevent wry neck, early treatment can help in dealing with the pain and symptoms and prevent further damage.Stretching of neck muscles can help in the improvement of congenital wry neck. If this is started after a few months of birth, the success rate is quite high. If most of the other methods do not work as expected, surgery can be used in dealing with the situation.

The treatment of wry neck pain and symptoms is more successful if the doctor knows the cause of the condition other treatments may include massage, heat therapy, physical therapy, neck braces and stretching exercises.

Surgery is used in the fusion of vertebrae, lengthened muscles around the neck, cutting muscles or nerves, and the interruption of nerve signals through brain stimulation, which is most common for cervical dystonia cases.

Some of the medications used in treating the pain associated with wry neck include pain medications, muscle relaxants, botulinum toxin and medications for Parkinson’s disease treatment.

Living with wry neck can be stressful especially because the pain and discomfort will hinder the undertaking of normal activities. Some of the wry neck types like chronic wry neck can lead to complications such as isolation, depression, inability to drive and perform normal daily activities and swollen muscles. Wry neck is more treatable in young children because the faults can be easily corrected at this stage. If the condition is untreatable, there are support groups that make anyone with wry neck feel comfortable and learn how to live better with the condition.

Seeing a professional highly qualified doctor is important because it determines the direction and outcome of your treatment. If you have been experiencing neck pain and would like to see a doctor that will use modern neck pain diagnosis and treatment technology, you should consider Integrated Pain Management, where the medical practitioners focus on neck pain and other forms of pain.

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Recognizing Back Pain

The following article Recognizing Back Pain was first published to: Integrated Pain Management

Knowing and Explaining Your Back Pain to Your Doctor

We may put our bodies at risk as we carry out our daily activities. One body part which we need to care more for would be our lower backs. While this specific area used to be limber and flexible, it may tend to degenerate as we age. This is why we need to be more aware of the risks which may come with the chores and daily errands which we fulfill. In case we experience some levels of pain, we must also know how the sensation must be explained to the physician.

It’s additionally helpful to have a physician whom you can readily count on, in case some forms of pain occur. Make sure the Chiropractor or specialist you’ll get in touch with, would also have a wide scope of expertise to ensure your needs will be completely covered.

Did you know there are major trigger points which may contribute to your back pain? Knowing how exactly your back must be aligned, would pave lots information so you may be further aware of how you must move around and additionally care for your back.

First appeared here (http://www.pressurepositive.com/blog-posts/trigger-points-and-lower-back-pain)

Image Credit

It has been suggested that low back pain is an inevitable result of walking upright (Harari). As the force of gravity acts upon the skeleton and its muscular and ligamentous armature, it is distributed via the fascia into three dimensions. Myers (2013) talks of an internal cohesion- compression of the body where it is both collapsing in on itself and pushing out from itself in a constant state of equilibrium, a concept called ‘tensegrity’. Tensegrity is seen nowhere better than in the spine.

  If the spine were a straight, rigid stick it wouldn’t be able to compensate for the multiple forces acting upon it. Therefore it is specifically arranged in a series of curves (cervical and lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis). Along with the spinal discs, these curves are essential for shock absorption and are maintained by an interblend of muscles and ligaments that fire up in cyclical sequences.

  Even though all of the spinal vertebrae are designed to move, the spine also demonstrates specialization in its movement patterns ,allowing us to exploit our three dimensions. The direction of movement is mainly determined by the orientation of the spinal “facet joints”: forward and backwards movements (flexion and extension) from the low back, sideways from the neck (side bending) and rotation from the thoracic spine (although this is limited by the ribs). The other important movement is a type of nodding backwards and forwards which is translated through the sacroiliac joints (nutation and counter-nutation).

  Layered on top of the vertebrae are a series of ligaments that are strong and specialized to resist directional forces They again can be a source of pain and may develop “trigger points”. On top of the ligaments is a complex but beautiful system of muscles. The deepest spinal muscles are used to make minute adjustments in vertebral orientation (rotatores, interspinalis and intertransversalis).

  Then the multifidus with its large and strong fibers bridging several vertebrae at once and helping to maintain posture.

  The next layer of muscles connects the vertebrae to another from one to six segments upwards. This is the erector spinae and it is divided into three columns. Moving outwards from the center it forms a “wing like” structure - spinalis, longissimus and iliocostalis. The erector spinae don’t really keep the spine erect (that’s the job of the psoas and the multifidus) but they do extend the spine from a flexed position.

  Side-bending is mainly performed by the quadratus lumborum muscles. Arranged over these muscles we have broader, flatter and more superficial muscles such as the latissimus dorsi.

  Added to all this hardware is the software that the brain uses to co-ordinate and sequence movement. All of the above structures feed information to the brain in a constant stream affording it orientation (proprioception), as well as force and direction (velocity). The brain responds by organizing movement sequences hierarchically in functional units. These functional units mainly consist of a prime mover (agonist), an opposing muscle force (antagonist) and other muscles that either fix the local joint (fixators) or help the prime mover (synergists).

  The body tends to shut down around pain to avoid further noxious stimuli. Part of the way it does this is by using trigger points. For example, the erector spinae, multifidus, iliopsoas, quadratus lumborum, piriformis, rectus abdominus and hamstring muscles often manifest trigger points in patients with disc problems. Similarly, the gluteus medius muscle often ‘switches-off’ and develops trigger points around sacro-iliac problems.

  So here's a brief overview of how, why and where trigger points develop in the above structures and their connection to lower back pain:

  Multifidus

The multifidus muscles help to take pressure off the vertebral discs so that our body weight can be well distributed along the spine. Image Credit

The multifidus muscle has a deeper and more superficial arrangement. It is intimately involved with most types of LBP and often manifests trigger points. Because the muscles are so deep you need to use firm pressure to work on these trigger points.

  Erector Spinae

Interestingly and contrary to what some of us have been taught the erector spinae don’t hold the spine erect! Most fibers are electrically silent during postural work (Kippers 1984). This muscle group is designed to activate during extension from flexion, i.e. standing upright from bending forward. The erector spinae has three divisions each of which may manifest a trigger point. According to Simons, Travell, and Simons, individual pain patterns of several trigger points that refer pain to the Lumbosacral region may blend into each other.

  Piriformis

The piriformis takes its origin from the lower part of the sacrum but it also often gets involved with the protective patterns. It has been suggested that when the piriformis muscle gets tight, it can compress the sciatic nerve, or even the blood vessels to the nerve, (vaso nervorum) which can lead to (pseudo) sciatica. Remember that 17% of people have a sciatic nerve that runs through the piriformis muscle.

  Rectus Abdominus

Image Credit

The rectus is an antagonist to the multifidus muscle and may either get involved with LBP due to reciprocal inhibition or it may be a source of LBP itself. It is also interesting to note that trigger points in the lower rectus may also cause diarrhea and symptoms mimicking diverticulosis or gynecological disease.

We have often found that treating trigger points in the rectus adds the finishing touch in some patients. Often it can also be the reason why the lower back trigger points don’t stay released.

  Iliopsoas

Image Credit

                Mechanically, the iliopsoas has an intimate relationship with maintaining the lumbar spinal lordosis and is often involved in mechanical LBP, but that is not the whole story. In her book The Vital Psoas, Jo Ann Staugaard- Jones also describes the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the iliopsoas. Staugaard-Jones talks of the iliopsoas as two distinct muscles: the psoas major (one of the deepest core muscles) and the ilaicus.

The psoas, she maintains, is the only muscle that connects the upper body to the lower (spine to legs) and integrates deeply with the nerve and energy systems: “It is enervated by the lumbar nerve complex (lower back) and when released, helps energize subtle body systems!”

  Glutes, Piriformis and Hamstrings

Along with the tight glutes and piriformis the lower back muscles tend to form a triangle of tight, spastic and fatigued tissues. Postural changes also cause tension in the hamstring muscles, which also often manifests trigger points and can ache after exercise.

  Hamstrings

We often find trigger points in the hamstring muscles associated with LBP. Sometimes this is a cause-and-effect relationship, from a trapped nerve (radiculopathy) in the spine (sciatica). In these cases not all of the information/trophic input reaches the muscle fibers and the muscles may become tight and full of trigger points. The corollary is also true. Sometimes a tight hamstring will have a negative mechanical effect on the lower back.

  Quadratus Lumborum (Q/L)

The myofacial pain maps for the Q/L tend to radiate into the pelvis even though the trigger points are higher in the spine. Taut bands in the quadratus lumborum muscle can contribute to scoliosis. The Q/L is often involved in any disc pathology literally bending the patient to one side (especially in the morning).

  Levator Ani – Sacral Pain

The levator ani muscle consists of the pubococcygeus and the iliococcygeus muscles. Together with the coccygeus muscle, these muscles form the pelvic diaphragm (the muscular floor of the pelvis). Trigger points in the levator ani muscle are often implicated in low back pain syndromes.

  Soleus – Sacral Pain

The soleus is a “classic” example of a trigger point whose myofascial pain map is remote from the origin. The soleus is deep in the calf, yet in some cases a trigger point in the soleus can refer pain to the coccyx area. We have seen this personally and it is fascinating how treating this trigger point relieves the low back pain.

Considering all the possible forms of back pain, it would then be necessary for you to know how the sensation must be exactly explained to your physician and Chiropractor. This way, your chosen specialist would have a better means of diagnosing and treating your condition.

First appeared here: (http://www.spineuniverse.com/blogs/cooney/how-explain-your-pain-doctor)

An experienced chiropractor has tips to help you get the care you need at your next appointment

For those battling “invisible pain" such as fibromyalgia, CRPS (complex regions pain syndrome),RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy), diabetic neuropathy or chronic pain after cancer treatment, accurately conveying the location, frequency and depth of the discomfort can be particularly challenging and emotionally taxing.

  If you or a loved one are combatting short-term (acute) pain or a neuropathy (pain lasting 12 weeks or longer), I’d like to offer my own simple tools to help you accurately convey the unique characteristics of your pain so that the most effective treatment protocol can be set into motion.

  You may wish to bring this article to your next doctor visit and go over each of the key pain description points I’ve outlined below.

  I hope your doctor will ask you these questions, but if not, you can act as your own pain advocate and offer this information.

  Pain symptoms are personal, unique--and subjective. (What Joe describes as “unbearable pain” may be considered “pretty unpleasant pain” to Mike). Over the years, I developed my own “pain diagnostic” conversation with patients to help my team and I understand what, where, when and how much pain patients are feeling.

  I’ve outlined key points below:

Timing Matters

This is key to a proper diagnosis. Don’t assume we know you’ve battled this pain for a year, a month or a decade.

Spell it out:

I’ve had this pain for _________________.

How frequently and how long does it last?

What ignites (flare) or lessens your pain and for how long?

  Location, Location, Location

Doctors may instruct you to mark the area/s where your pain is concentrated. They may also ask you to note a difference between pain that is on the surface and pain that is under the surface.

How Bad is Your Pain - A Measurement Tool

Image Credit

Most referring physicians, regardless of their medical specialty, use a simple 1 to 10 point pain scale, so I stick with this to keep everyone on the same page.

  No Pain

0 – Pain-free

Manageable Pain

1 – Pain is very mild, barely noticeable. Most of the time you don't think about it.

2 – Minor pain. Annoying and may have occasional stronger twinges.

3 – Pain is noticeable and distracting, however, you can get used to it and adapt.

Moderate Pain—Disrupts normal daily living activities

4 – Moderate pain. If you are deeply involved in an activity, it can be ignored for a period of time, but is still distracting.

5 – Moderately strong pain. It can't be ignored for more than a few minutes, but you still can manage to work or participate in some social activities.

6 – Moderately strong pain that interferes with normal daily activities. Difficulty concentrating.

Severe Pain—Disabling; debilitating, reduces daily quality of life, cannot live independently

7– Severe pain that dominates your senses and significantly limits your ability to perform normal daily activities or maintain social relationships. Interferes with sleep.

8– Intense pain. Physical activity is severely limited. Conversing requires great effort.

9– Excruciating pain. Unable to converse. Crying out and/or moaning uncontrollably.

10– Unspeakable pain. Bedridden and possibly delirious. Mobility may be compromised.

  Create a Pain Journal

If you come prepared with all this information, your time with the doctor can be better spent focusing on next steps and a treatment plan, rather than a lengthy Q & A review of the information provided here.

More importantly, addressing these issues in advance will ensure your doctor receives up-to-date, higher quality information.

  It’s worthwhile to know the tendencies by which your back may be at risk of. Aside from ensuring you’ll be in a much better disposition to care for your back, it would also be necessary to know how your pain must be explained to your doctor. For patients who have persistent cases of pain, it’s even more important to secure scheduled appointments with a practitioner.

Integrated Pain Management has the goal to minimize their patients need for medication and reconcile their bodily functions. This way, individuals may productively resume to their lifestyle and enjoy their hobbies. They take on a personal and thorough approach so patients will be ensured of customized solutions.

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Tips for Using Natural Remedies

The following post Tips for Using Natural Remedies was first published on: IAOHS reviews

Tips for Using Natural Remedies

Are you interested in using a natural remedy to seek relief from a minor medical problem, such as a headache, migraine, or a toothache? If you are, you are not alone. A large number of individuals use natural remedies, also commonly referred to as home remedies. With that being said, if this is the first time that you will be trying a natural remedy, you may be looking for some guidance. If that is the case, please continue reading on, as a few helpful and important natural remedy tips are touched on below.

Although natural remedies do work in most cases, it is important to know that you may see a variance. For example, there are some individuals who claim that drinking grape juice, namely the juice directly from ripe grapes, is a great way to relieve the pain associated with a headache or a migraine. Yes, this approach may work for others, but that does not necessarily mean that that same natural remedy will work for you. The good news though is that there are multiple home remedies for different medical problems. For example, a fresh apple each morning, a cabbage compress, and a cold compress are other natural ways that can provide relief from a headache or a migraine. This means that even if you can’t find relief right away, there should be another remedy out there that can provide you with relief.

Since there should be a number of natural remedies for you to choose from, you will want to examine each of the available remedies. What you will then want to do to is choose the remedy that is most convenient for you. For example, natural remedies that are effective at removing warts include castor oil, ripe pineapples, onions, and potatoes. What you will want to do is choose the item that you already have in your home. For example, if you have a bag of potatoes in your cupboard slice up a potato and rub it on your wart. Doing so each night for a couple of weeks will help to remove your wart. This method will also prevent you from having to make a trip to the grocery store, as you chose a natural remedy that involved an item in which you already had in your home.

Safety should also be touched on when looking to use a natural remedy to cure a minor medical issue, such as a headache, migraine, or a toothache. If you rely on herbal remedies or vitamins to provide you with relief are you also taking prescribed medication? If so, you may want to place a quick telephone call to your doctor or pharmacist. Most times, you will be okay, but there are a small number of prescribed medications that should not be taken with herbal supplements or vitamins. Even though the chance of a dangerous combination happening is very small, there is still no harm in checking first.

In keeping with safety, it is important to know what you are allergic to. For example, if you are allergic to an ingredient that may be listed in a natural remedy, you are advised against using that remedy. Even if the ingredient that you may have a bad reaction to is only a small component, it is still best if you avoid that particular remedy. With that being said, it was stated above how most minor medical issues can be treated with a number of different natural remedies. That is why you should never put yourself at risk for an allergic reaction, especially when you should have a number of other natural and safe remedies to choose from.

As a recap, natural remedies are a safe and effective way to seek relief or treat a large number of minor medical issues, but you are still advised to proceed with caution. Seek the advice of a healthcare professional if you take prescribed medication and never use a natural remedy that contains an ingredient which you are allergic to or known to have a reaction with.

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[How-to] Treat Migraine Pain

The post [How-to] Treat Migraine Pain is courtesy of: Integrated Pain Management Blog

How To Handle Headache Pain

The most common malady might be headache pain. About 40% of the general population suffers from tension headache pain which might range from a light pain sensation to a pounding in the head. Almost everyone experiences this pain once a year and this explains the reason why most over-the-counter medications are used for headache pain.

There are quite a number of ways you can use to kill the pain especially if it is just a light headache. Reading through the following points will help you in dealing with headache pain better.

Over-the-counter Medication

Though effective, most pain killers available in stores will only kick in about an hour or two after you take them. This means that you should take the medications as soon as you start experiencing the headache.If you are already deep in misery caused by the headache, taking naproxen, aspirin, capsaicin nasal spray, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can get rid of the headache quite fast.

When taking over-the-counter medication, you should be careful. Unless prescribed by the doctor, you should not use pain medication every day because this can easily lead to an overuse. Some people develop a habit of taking medication they do not require just because they are in fear of a headache that might attack them. The bad news is that the overuse only results in rebound headaches.

If you are taking pain medication to treat a headache 3 or more times every week, then you need to see a doctor for better treatment. The problem with self-medication is that you might be addressing the wrong problem. The more pain medication you use, the more your body develops tolerance and this means that you will need more medication to get rid of the pain in future.If you are already dealing with rebound headaches, you will need to see a doctor for a more professional approach.

Learn more about Dr. Tian Xia TX360 Migraine Treatment Option

When To See A Doctor

Sometimes headaches are accompanied by other symptoms and this can be a sign of a more serious problem.This might include conditions such as stroke, meningitis or encephalitis. If your headache includes nausea and vomiting, high fever, weakness, paralysis, numbness, stiff neck, vision, walking or talking problems, you need to see a doctor immediately. You also need to see a doctor if you experience severe headaches that are not eliminated by use of medication.

Caffeine Should Be Used Carefully

Though caffeine is used in making some headache pain medications, it should be used carefully. This is because it can also lead to more painful headaches through caffeine dependency. Caffeine helps in the blocking of adenosine receptors. Headache is characterized by high levels of adenosine and when the receptors are blocked, the pain is greatly reduced. If you are using caffeine treatment to deal with the headache, you should limit this treatment to two times a week.Using more than twice can lead to dependency. This is common among people suffering from migraines.

Most people who drink more than 2 cups of coffee per day or more than 200 mg of caffeine per day will experience some headaches when they stop taking the caffeine.The reason behind the headaches is because caffeine dilates blood vessels and when it is absent, the vessels will constrict and cause the pain in the head. If you think the use of caffeine is contributing to your headaches, it is important to ensure that you follow the steps to withdraw from it without causing any other problems. Anyone who is dealing with frequent headaches should stay away from caffeine as much as possible.

Hydration Is Important

A lot of headaches are caused by dehydration. People who have a hangover or have vomited recently are more prone to such headaches. When your head starts to ache, drink glass of water and continue drinking small amounts through the day. A man should drink at least 3 liters of water in a day and a woman should drink at least 2.2 liters of water in a day.

People who live in humid or hot environment nets should drink more water. Others who should hydrate often are breastfeeding moms, people who are suffering from illnesses that cause diarrhea or vomiting and people dealing with hangovers. A good way to know how much water to drinking is drinking at least 0.5 ounces of water for each pound of your weight. If you have a headache, avoid drinking cold water because this can trigger migraines or worsen a headache. Stick to room temperature water.

Relaxation

If possible, you should try to find time to relax or lie down for a period of 30 minutes or more.If you are at home or in your office, you can shut the blinds and turn off the lights and only focus on breathing. With this sensory reduction, relaxing will be easier. If you are resting around people, it is important that you ask for their understanding and get the absolute peace that will lead to healing. Explain your condition and tell them what you need them to do for the 30 minutes you will be resting.

Always make sure that the surface you are sleeping on is comfortable and will not contribute to any stress that might worsen your headache.You should make sure that there is no tension around your neck area and always adjust your head and neck to ensure that they are evenly supported. Make some room temperature adjustments to give you the perfect atmosphere to relax and this will give your body enough time to deal with the headache pain. A little massage as you rest can go a long way in eliminating this pain and you can have it done by someone or you can do it before you fall asleep.

If your home remedies are not working, you need to see a professional doctor for a better look at your headache. At Integrated Pain Management, you will get a thorough medical check to determine the cause of your headache and this enables the doctor to treat you better. For headache pain, and any other type of pain, contact Integrated Pain Management, and your pain will be treated by professional doctors.

Learn more about migraine pain and what treatments are available 

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Migraines And Women

Migraines And Women is courtesy of: IAOHS specialist reviews

Migraines And Women

Migraines occur far more frequently in women than in men. In fact, in adult women the rate of frequency is roughly fifteen to seventeen percent, whereas in men it is only about five percent.

Studies have concluded that estrogen withdrawal is a key factor in migraines related to menstrual cycles.

Twenty-five to thirty percent of all women in their 30s experience at least an occasional migraine.

Menstrual migraines generally last longer than non-menstrual migraines and often are much more difficult to treat effectively.

Sixty to seventy percent of women who suffer from migraines have menstrual-related migraine.

Ten to fourteen percent of women with migraines have them only during menstruation. These types of headaches are known as ‘true menstrual migraine’.

Premenstrual migraine may in fact be part premenstrual syndrome (PMS), the menstrual related mood disorder. Symptoms of PMS include fatigue, irritability or depression, bloating and, yes, headache.

Two-thirds of women who suffered from pre-menopausal migraines find their condition improve with physiologic menopause. On the other hand, it has been found that surgical menopause worsens migraine conditions in two-thirds of cases.

Migraine attacks usually disappear during pregnancy. At the same time, however, some women report an initial onset of migraines during the first trimester of pregnancy, with the disappearance of their headaches after the third month of pregnancy.

Treatment options for menstrual migraine

Sidenote: Hope you're finding this useful? I have always been curious about this matter. And when I found very little quality information about it, I decided to share a part of what I've learned about it - which is why this article came to be written. Read on.

When choosing to treat menstrual migraines with medication, the drugs used most often are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). The NSAIDS of choice in treating menstrual migraines are:

ketoprofen (Orudis) ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin) fenoprofen calcium (Nalfon) naproxen (Naprosyn) nabumetone (Relafen)

For best results when using NSAIDs to treat migraines, usage should be started two to three days before menstrual flow actually begins and the therapy should be continued throughout the period. Gastrointestinal side effects are generally not serious enough to be considered because the therapy takes place over such a short period, no pun intended.

For patients who suffer from more severe menstrual migraines or who desire to continue taking oral contraceptives, doctors also recommend taking a NSAID. This therapy should begin l9th day of your cycle and continue through the second day of the next cycle.

Some women have found antinausea medicine and pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen sufficient enough to dull the pain. Others trust in analgesics or serotonin agonists such as Imitrex, Zomig, Amerge or Maxalt. When using medications, it is extremely important to be aware of the dangers of avoiding a repetitive pattern of medication or overuse of medication as this can cause rebound headaches.

You might also consider using an estrogen skin patch. This treatment is utilized in the days leading up to your period and may either delay or actually prevent the onset of a menstrual migraine.

Some studies have found that daily doses of magnesium may help menstrual migraines in certain women. In addition, vitamin and herbal treatments have been found to be effective. The herb feverfew or vitamin B2 when taken on a daily basis may reduce

Either the severity or the frequency of headaches, though research does not point to

menstrual migraines in particular.

Even though two-thirds of women do report improvement in their migraine condition with the onset of natural menopause, two-thirds of women report a worsening with surgical, therefore neither a hysterectomy nor an ovarian removal are recommended.

As always, you should consult your physician for a proper diagnosis before discontinuing or launching on kind of new treatment, including over-the-counter medication treatments.

Every person has a unique health profile that includes aspects specific to their physiology and family history and that may preclude them from taking certain medications.

Some final tips

There enough different migraine triggers to fill a book and keeping track of them can be a full time job. It is highly recommended that you keep a trigger diary that includes a record of foods you eat, weather conditions, medications you have taken, stressful events, menstrual activity, etc.

Also of benefit is developing a plan around your period. Reduce stress as much as possible by planning work and leisure commitments around your cycle so as to cut back on menstrual-related triggers as much as possible.

I hope you've found this information helpful and gained something of value from the article.

In case there is any specific portion that is not clear enough, or that you'd like to know more about, please write to let me know and I'll try and update the article or write another one getting into greater detail.

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Riboflavin for Migraines

The following article Riboflavin for Migraines was first published to: IAOHS migraine treatment

Riboflavin for Migraines

Correcting dietary insufficiencies may help reduce headache frequency for migraineurs. Many migraineurs find relief by adding vitamin supplements to their daily regimen.

Taking vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, has been shown in numerous studies to help reduce the number of migraine attacks people suffer from. Initial studies involved a high dosage of 400mg. This is two hundred times the amount of B2 in a typical diet. The high dosage involved caused a rare side effect of vitamin B2 supplementation to show itself; diarrhea.

In 2005, a new study measured the effectiveness of B2 at much lower doses, only 25mg a day. This lower dose was just as effective at reducing migraine frequency as the higher dose used in earlier studies.

Riboflavin has the potential to enhance energy production in brain cells. Migraine sufferers tend to have impaired energy production in cells in their brains and supplementing with riboflavin may help.

Magnesium, another nutrient important to energy production, is also proven to reduce migraine frequency among sufferers. Diuretics, alcohol, and chronic medical conditions all deplete magnesium in the body. Adding magnesium-rich foods to their diet, things like spinach, bananas, nuts, and whole-grain cereals, helps many migraineurs restore this vital mineral to their system.

If dietary changes don’t help, a dose of up to 400mg of magnesium per day may help. Migraineurs should be careful not to overdo it with both dietary changes and supplementation. Signs of magnesium overdosing include drowsiness, lethargy, and diarrhea.

Another potentially helpful supplement is vitamin E. Vitamin E aids in circulation and 400 IU (international units) daily helps many migraineurs reduce the frequency of their headaches. Fish oil pills with the right balance of omega-3 fatty acids are believed to lessen the intensity of an existing migraine and help stave them off.

Consult with a doctor before adding any supplements to your regular treatment plan.