Back Pain Articles

Hand Yoga is a form of energy healing used predominantly in Buddhist and Hindu cultures, though evidence suggests many other cultures using it one form or another. The science behind hand yoga is based on the fact that the tips of our fingers have thousands of nerve endings that correlate to specific organs and areas of the body. According to the practice, bringing these nerve endings together has profound healing and balancing effects. This practice has been tested and proven over thousands of years and remains effective as ever.

The essence of practicing hand yoga is in hand gestures called mudras. Mudras are special ways of connecting fingers in order to achieve different effects and influence different organs and areas of the body. Practicing mudras can heal minor ailments and major diseases, restore balance, invigorate the mind, enhance certain abilities and much more.

The Surhabi Mudra, discussed in this article is mainly for easing or removing completely the symptoms of arthritis and rheumatism.

Arthritis and Rheumatism are categories or broad terms for a range of auto-immune disease that are similar to each other. There are over 200 different conditions that can be called Arthritis or Rheumatism and all of them can be addressed by practicing the Surabhi Mudra on a daily basis for at least 15 minutes each day or a few times a day. These diseases usually persist for a long time, so it is important to address them deeply by practicing regularly and the results will become apparent within a few days to a week.

The Surabhi Mudra is practiced by first extending both thumbs, then making sure the middle fingers touch the opposite index fingers, the little fingers touch the opposite ring fingers. It’s simple yet very effective. The effects usually come gradually, after constant practice for at least a few days. This requires patience, but once the results are felt, you will be amazed at how powerful hand yoga is. A simple hand gesture that can be done anywhere at anytime is capable of relieving or even curing a very difficult disease, that modern science had struggled with for ages.

Meditation is an extremely powerful tool that enhances any practice, especially Hand Yoga. By meditating daily we can improve our lives so much, we will not recognize ourselves and will begin to appreciate life and others differently. Try combining your daily practice of the Surabhi Mudra with meditation to achieve faster effects.

Certain herbs such as Black Cohosh and Angelica have also been used by our ancestors to treat rheumatism for centuries. These powerful plants have very enhancing properties. Black Cohosh, actively used by Native Americans is similar to aspirin, taken also for cramps and during menopause, while Angelica (called dong quai in Chinese) is still the most popular herb for arthritis in both China and Europe for its pain-relieving, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. When taken for a significant period of time and the Surabhi Mudra is practiced the healing effects are multiplied.

Healing without drugs is possible and actively practiced by many people outside of our world. The emergence of Hand Yoga in the west could begin a new era, when people can finally heal themselves by performing simple exercises with immensely powerful results. Available to anyone with effort to practice regularly and have a strong wish to get better. Practiced with meditation and herbal healing, hand yoga is a powerful tool for self-improvement and advancement.

Konstantin has more information at his Hand Yoga site. At his site you read a the complete article on rheumatism and arthritis and the Surabhi Mudra and watch some interesting videos on the topic.

What is Sciatica? Sciatica is a constant pain that is felt along the sciatic nerve; it runs from the lower back down to the feet. It controls the muscles to the legs and provides feeling to the thighs, legs and bottoms of the feet. Sciatica occurs most often in people between the ages thirty through fifty. It usually is caused by repetitive use type of conditions, such as sitting for long periods of time, or normal wear and tear. It is rarely caused by an acute or traumatic event.

The pain from sciatica can be sometimes debilitating and it can get so bad it can be difficult for one to sit, walk or even sleep. Some people experience tingling, while for others it is just a dull pain. Occasionally it can be a burning type of feeling. Pain from the sciatic nerve is usually caused by the nerve being pinched or irritated in the lower back or lumbar spine. The nerve then gets inflamed and causes a variation of symptoms that can wreak havoc with one’s lifestyle.

The most conservative type of treatment for sciatica is the application of ice. I recommend to my patients to lay flat with two pillows under the knees and apply ice to the lower back on the side of involvement for fifteen minutes. This can be repeated up to every hour if necessary. It is important not to apply the ice for more than twenty minutes at a time because this can aggravate the condition. Applying ice to the source of the problem will decrease the inflammation of the nerve and subsequently decrease pain. Although this may be a temporary solution, it does offer some relief.

Manipulation of the spine to relieve the pressure on the nerve has been demonstrated in studies to be one of the most affective treatments for sciatic pain. Manipulation is the best place to start when someone has sciatic nerve pain. It is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment option. The goal of manipulation is to realign the spinal bones taking the pressure off the nerve. When the nerve pressure is alleviated one often finds great improvement with decreased pain and inflammation.

Other very effective, conservative option is a good exercise program. There are many exercises available, but these are the ones I have used in my clinical experience to be most effective. The first exercise is laying flat on your back with your knees bent. Squeeze or flex you buttocks pressing toward the ceiling. Hold this position for a count of ten and slowly return to the neutral position. Repeat this four times. Starting at the neutral position, bring each leg to your chest with both hands one at a time. Follow this by bringing both knees to the chest, bringing your head up again holding for a count of ten and returning slowly to the neutral position and do this four times. A third exercise is laying on your stomach and arching backwards with your elbows on the floor moving from a neutral position to a comfortable flexed position arching backwards as much as you can but stopping if back or leg pain worsens. The fourth exercise is on your hands and knees, pushing your back up toward the ceiling then pushing it to the floor, (this is often called the cat stretch). These exercises should be initiated slowly and if there is any pain or discomfort, to stop before you have pain. I would recommend doing these exercises two to three times a day.

There are many nutritional aspects to sciatic nerve pain you may not be aware. A diet that is pro-inflammatory i.e., one that is rich in meat, dairy and shellfish, will give more inflammation to all nerves. An anti-inflammatory diet consists of fruits, vegetables and fish. This is one of the most powerful ways to treat the symptoms of inflammation and stop pain.

The nutritional protocol that I found to be most effective in treating sciatic nerve pain are turmeric, tulsi and rosemary. These powerful herbs have been studied and found to greatly lower inflammation. Boswellia is an herb that is a specific anti-inflammatory. This is especially helpful for arthritic patients. Bromelein is a plant enzyme found in pineapples and has powerful natural anti-inflammatory effects. I prefer to take this with papain as well, it is essential that you take it on an empty stomach to really get the benefits of the anti-inflammatory nature. Ginger is a wonderful herb that offers pain relief. You can steep fresh ginger in boiling water and use it as a tea or make a juice with it. Evening primrose oil, black currant oil, or borage oils contain the essential fatty acids Gammalinolenic acid. These omegas will powerfully reduce the inflammatory process and take down the inflammation on the sciatic nerve.

There are many ergonomically beneficial positions that will improve sciatic nerve pain no matter the cause. It is an important part of your treatment to improve your posture and use your body correctly. Good posture allows the use of the body without strain on muscles, joints, ligaments, and internal organs. Good posture must be considered in all activities: sitting, standing, resting, working, playing and exercising. It is simply not a matter of “standing tall”.

In the resting position, it is beneficial to lay flat on your back with two pillows under your knees or lay on your side with a pillow in between your knees. Avoid positions like sleeping flat with no pillow, on your stomach or lying on your stomach with one knee bent up. This will result in a ’swayback’ condition. Some simple things, such as getting up and down from bed, to get into bed it is best that you sit on the side of the bed bring both arms to one side, lower your side to the bed keeping your knees bent at forty five degrees, then pull your feet into bed. Remain on one side or roll on the back. Getting up from the bed it is best to roll on your side push with the hands to the sitting position keeping knees bent and swinging legs over the edge of the bed. When sitting, stay away from a chair that is too high, as this will increase swayback. When sitting, the knees should be higher than the hips as this will flatten the lumbar curvature. Avoid slouching on a chair with feet on an ottoman because this can strain the lower back. When traveling in a car the seat should be close to the steering wheel and use a small pillow for proper lumbar support. When standing, it is recommended to place one foot on a stool or shelf and after a short time switch to the other foot, this will cause the lumbar curve to flatten and ease the pressure off the lumbar spine. When lifting, do not bend at the waist. Bend the knees and carry the object close to the body. When bending, bend at the knees and push your buttocks out rather then flexing at the waist.

My final tip on stopping sciatic nerve pain is to drink plenty of water. A dehydrated body is one that will struggle to heal. It is important to drink at least six to eight glasses of water per day to keep the body well hydrated and to flush toxins built up from resulting muscle spasms of the pain and inflammation. Water will also hydrate the disc. Between your spinal bones are intervetebral discs that dry out as we age the more we can keep them hydrated, the less degenerative arthritis will occur in the spine. This is also the reason we get shorter as we age is each little disc between the vertebrae dry out, or desiccate then subsequent height loss will occur.

If you follow these simple steps for stopping sciatic nerve pain, you will go a long way in preventing any pain in the future and avoid any harmful pharmaceutical side effects or painful surgical intervention. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

discover the waysto stopping sciatic nerve pain. Through years of clinical treatments, Dr. Gendron has helped thousands of patients prevent and relief the pain of sciatica. Go to his blog, www.doctorgendron.com today, to discover natural solutions and stop the pain.

Many people live with neck and back pain from time to time. This is becomes more common when we perform repetitive daily tasks, spend long hours at a computer, or do physically demanding work as our primary occupation. Fortunately, a visit to the chiropractor can assist in relieving the pains associated with these types of activities, without relying on pills or medications. Chiropractors are able to provide pain relief through physically adjusting the spine and other body parts in a non-intrusive, holistic way.

A chiropractor is required to complete a thorough educational program very similar to that required by a medical doctor or other health-care professionals.While some people may consider chiropractic care “alternative” medicine, the distinction isn’t quite accurate. The reason begin because chiropractors are actual doctors, as they have finished a fully-accredited program of education that incorporates all-encompassing courses in anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, public health, physiology, and pathology, in addition to others.

Furthermore, chiropractors are required to complete multiple National Boards (exams) and pass a licensing test for the state they wish to practice in. A series of continuing education courses also must be completed in order to maintain their license or have their annual license reissued. Through these methods you can rest assured that a chiropractor is fully aware of the most current and effective treatments and techniques to invest in your continued positive health and to aid in relieving painful conditions.

It is important to note what most people mean or are referring to when they use the term “alternative” is that chiropractors, unlike most general physicians or medical specialists, do not usually utilize typical pill medications in their course of treatment. When possible, chiropractors opt for manipulation techniques to release subluxations and relieve stress, compression, or interference with nerves and muscles that may cause pain or discomfort. It is precisely this drug-free approach that most people really appreciate.

No matter what kinds of medications are prescribed to treat physical pains (by medical doctors), some percentage of the people taking such medications will experience side effects. Since chiropractors don’t usually recommend medications, those side effects can be avoided altogether. This provides a tremendous benefit. There is no need to worry about potential drowsiness, physical ailments caused by drugs, or potential allergic reactions to the treatments.

Chiropractors treat injuries caused by accidents, including car accidents resulting in whiplash and slips and falls. They also treat chronic conditions that may flare up following specific activities. Typically, chiropractic care involves an extensive evaluation with x-rays prior to the first treatment-which usually takes place the very same day at the same appointment as the diagnostic evaluation is conducted.

Treatment or chiropractic adjustments may be recommended several times per week initially while a condition is most pronounced or the injury most troublesome. Gradually, the frequency of treatments will taper off. Once the initial problem has been resolved, patients can come in on an as-needed basis when they experience flare ups or bouts of pain.

Whether you have a painful condition as the result of an accident or injury, or whether you have a chronic condition that causes pain, a chiropractor may be able to help you avoid living in pain. Likewise, if your daily activities result in tense muscles and pinched nerves, chiropractic treatment can alleviate your pain without pills. If you are experiencing recurring or occasional pain, it’s well worth your time to be evaluated by a San Diego chiropractor.

You can find a good chiropractor in almost every metropolitan area from Philadelphia to San Diego and anywhere in between. If you do live in southern California, be sure to contact a local San Diego chiropractor. Most smaller municipalities also have chiropractors who practice in their communities, as well. Look online or in your local yellow pages to find a practicing doctor of chiropractic in your specific area. Then make an appointment for an initial consultation to see if you can begin a pain-free life without pills starting today.

Want to find out more about a San Diego chiropractor, then visit Terry Hanson’s site on how to choose the best chiropractor San Diego for your needs.

Have you ever moved house or helped someone else move house? It is the sort of job where, unless you are a professional moving man, the chances are that you woke up the next day with back ache took some pills and went on with your day as best as you can.

If you are sitting there in pain reading this article then there is a good chance you are thinking to yourself, should I take some pills (again) and hope my back just gets better on its own or should I try and get an appointment with my Dr or do I call a Chiropractor?

Do not be shy about telling people around you that you have an ongoing back problem, if no one knows then they will not understand why you do not want to pick up those boxes in the storage room. If you do not get treatment and just try and continually soldier on through the pain then you could well end up doing long term damage to your back.

If your back pain has been going on for more than a day or two and seems to be either not getting any better or possibly even worse then you need to consider seeking expert help.

Facing up to the reality that your pain is not a temporary passing phase is an important thing. Once you accept that the pain won’t go just because you pop a few more pills before bed you are ready to start changing your lifestyle so you can fix whatever is causing the pain.

If your pain is at a level where it is impossible for you to sleep or you are self medicating beyond the recommended dose then you need to consider professional help.

If you are doing a job where you sit at a desk 8 hours a day 5 days a week there is one thing that is almost assured. The first time you help someone move house or spend the day digging out that tree stump you have been meaning to get rid of for years, you will have back ache the next day.

If you have back pains and are just constantly self medicating with over the counter pain killers you are not fixing the problem, you are just stopping or more likely reducing the pain. This may seem like the answer right now, but long term it is not a solution for what can be a debilitating medical condition.

Do not be shy about telling people around you that you have an ongoing back problem, if no one knows then they will not understand why you do not want to pick up those boxes in the storage room. If you do not get treatment and just try and continually soldier on through the pain then you could well end up doing long term damage to your back.

Your first stop should always be your general practitioner and you could ask him if he knows any chiropractors locally, the chances are he won’t be able to recommend any but it is worth asking. Your next port of call could be friends and family. Many chiropractors are extremely busy so do not leave it till the last minute to call for an appointment.

Be ready to be told things that you don’t want to hear, if you are carrying a lot of extra weight then that could be part of the problem. If your back muscles are already weak or going into spasm then having all the extra weight to move around won’t be helping.

Back aches are often caused by environmental issues, maybe your office chair is set at the wrong height, maybe you slouch when you sit at your desk. Consider your own lifestyle and see if you can make long term changes that will help alleviate your back pain.