Chronic pain is generally defined as any pain that continues more than 3 to 6 months. Please read the below for more information.
http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/depression/4-tips-help-cope-chronic-pain-and-depression?source=3tab
Showing posts with label depression. Show all posts
Showing posts with label depression. Show all posts
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Depression and Back Pain
It's not a surprise that most people suffering from chronic pain also
experience depression, but did you know the reverse can be true as well?
Check out the Depression Guide from Spine-Health:
http://www.spine-health.com/
http://www.spine-health.com/
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Guide on Depression, Chronic Pain
It's not a surprise that most people suffering from chronic pain also experience depression, but did you know the reverse can be true as well? Check out the Depression Guide from Spine-Health:
http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/depression/depression-guide
http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/depression/depression-guide
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Mattress Guidelines for Sleep Comfort
The right mattress can really help one have a good night's sleep and wake up feeling rested and refreshed. Sleeping on the wrong mattress can cause sleeplessness, back pain, and overall aches and pains. For people with a back problem, a mattress that isn't a good fit can make the pain worse.
When searching for the best mattress, remember that mattresses are largely a matter of personal preference. There is no single type of mattress or bed that works well for all people, and there is no best mattress for back problems. Likewise, there
is no single sleep position known to be best for all people. This is due to several factors:
- There are many causes of back problems, and different back conditions may respond better to specific types of beds, mattresses and sleep positions.
- There is a high degree of personal preference for mattresses, and what works well for one person may not work well for another.
- There is very limited scientific study published on mattresses and back pain, and findings from the studies that have been completed are inconclusive.
- Overall, the causes of back pain can be quite complex, and it’s difficult to isolate whether or not a person's mattress has played a significant role in improving the pain or making it worse.
The bottom line is that the type of mattress that is best for any particular person is really a matter of personal preference.
The type of mattress one uses is not the only factor for patients with pain and sleep difficulty. Many other factors need to be considered that may affect sleep, including:
- Medication side effects
- Irregular sleep patterns
- Caffeine/alcohol/tobacco use
- Sleep apnea
- Anxiety/stress
If comfort is not the only thing making sleep difficult, it is advisable for the patient to consult his or her family physician to discuss other possible causes and treatments for sleeplessness.
Experiencing significant or persistent back pain may indicate an underlying back condition that has nothing to do with the mattress. It is always advisable for people with back pain to consult with a health care provider for a thorough exam, diagnosis, and treatment program.
As a reminder, sleep comfort is first and foremost a matter of personal preference. No one should expect that switching mattresses or beds will cure their lower back pain, and changes in the type of bed or mattress used should be made solely for the sake of comfort.
- Osteoarthritis. Patients with pain from osteoarthritis of the facet joints may prefer to sleep on their sides with their knees curled up (in the fetal position). This helps open up the facet joints in the spine and can relieve any corresponding pressure. Alternatively, sleeping in a reclining chair or an adjustable bed that allows the head and knees to be elevated can also relieve pressure on the facet joints.
- Degenerative Disc Disease. Patients with pain from degenerative disc disease may prefer to sleep on their stomach as this can relieve pressure on the disc space. Patients may feel most comfortable using a relatively firm mattress and placing a flat pillow under the stomach and hips, which can further reduce stress on the lower back.
- Spinal Stenosis. People with pain from spinal stenosis may prefer to sleep on their sides with their knees curled up (in the fetal position). This helps relieve pressure on the nerve root. Sleeping in a reclining chair or an adjustable bed that allows the head and knees to be elevated can also relieve pressure on the nerve.
- Bursitis. Patients who have inflammation of the bursa over their hips (greater trochanteric bursitis) can be especially susceptible to pain from a mattress that is too firm. If the mattress is too hard, a new mattress with thick padding on top, or placing an egg crate foam
mattress cover over the old mattress, can help provide some relief from the firmness.
- Hip Pain. Patients with hip pain who sleep on their sides can usually find some pain relief by placing a pillow between their knees. This decreases stress across the hip.
- Herniated Lumbar Disc. The most comfortable sleep position depends on the position of the disc. For a paracentral disc herniation (most common), patients will tend to do better lying on their stomach. For a foraminal herniated disc, sleeping on the side in a fetal position is usually better tolerated.
In general, elevating the knees slightly by placing a pillow under them while lying on the back can help many general forms of low back pain. Many patients also find that this is the most comfortable way to sleep after spine surgery.
Learn more about getting a good night’s sleep. Visit http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/sleep/mattress-guidelines-sleep-comfort
When searching for the best mattress, remember that mattresses are largely a matter of personal preference. There is no single type of mattress or bed that works well for all people, and there is no best mattress for back problems. Likewise, there
is no single sleep position known to be best for all people. This is due to several factors:
- There are many causes of back problems, and different back conditions may respond better to specific types of beds, mattresses and sleep positions.
- There is a high degree of personal preference for mattresses, and what works well for one person may not work well for another.
- There is very limited scientific study published on mattresses and back pain, and findings from the studies that have been completed are inconclusive.
- Overall, the causes of back pain can be quite complex, and it’s difficult to isolate whether or not a person's mattress has played a significant role in improving the pain or making it worse.
The bottom line is that the type of mattress that is best for any particular person is really a matter of personal preference.
The type of mattress one uses is not the only factor for patients with pain and sleep difficulty. Many other factors need to be considered that may affect sleep, including:
- Medication side effects
- Irregular sleep patterns
- Caffeine/alcohol/tobacco use
- Sleep apnea
- Anxiety/stress
If comfort is not the only thing making sleep difficult, it is advisable for the patient to consult his or her family physician to discuss other possible causes and treatments for sleeplessness.
Experiencing significant or persistent back pain may indicate an underlying back condition that has nothing to do with the mattress. It is always advisable for people with back pain to consult with a health care provider for a thorough exam, diagnosis, and treatment program.
As a reminder, sleep comfort is first and foremost a matter of personal preference. No one should expect that switching mattresses or beds will cure their lower back pain, and changes in the type of bed or mattress used should be made solely for the sake of comfort.
Sleep Positions for Back Conditions
An important factor that can influence individual preferences for mattresses, beds and sleeping positions is the specific back condition a person has. For example:- Osteoarthritis. Patients with pain from osteoarthritis of the facet joints may prefer to sleep on their sides with their knees curled up (in the fetal position). This helps open up the facet joints in the spine and can relieve any corresponding pressure. Alternatively, sleeping in a reclining chair or an adjustable bed that allows the head and knees to be elevated can also relieve pressure on the facet joints.
- Degenerative Disc Disease. Patients with pain from degenerative disc disease may prefer to sleep on their stomach as this can relieve pressure on the disc space. Patients may feel most comfortable using a relatively firm mattress and placing a flat pillow under the stomach and hips, which can further reduce stress on the lower back.
- Spinal Stenosis. People with pain from spinal stenosis may prefer to sleep on their sides with their knees curled up (in the fetal position). This helps relieve pressure on the nerve root. Sleeping in a reclining chair or an adjustable bed that allows the head and knees to be elevated can also relieve pressure on the nerve.
- Bursitis. Patients who have inflammation of the bursa over their hips (greater trochanteric bursitis) can be especially susceptible to pain from a mattress that is too firm. If the mattress is too hard, a new mattress with thick padding on top, or placing an egg crate foam
mattress cover over the old mattress, can help provide some relief from the firmness.
- Hip Pain. Patients with hip pain who sleep on their sides can usually find some pain relief by placing a pillow between their knees. This decreases stress across the hip.
- Herniated Lumbar Disc. The most comfortable sleep position depends on the position of the disc. For a paracentral disc herniation (most common), patients will tend to do better lying on their stomach. For a foraminal herniated disc, sleeping on the side in a fetal position is usually better tolerated.
In general, elevating the knees slightly by placing a pillow under them while lying on the back can help many general forms of low back pain. Many patients also find that this is the most comfortable way to sleep after spine surgery.
Learn more about getting a good night’s sleep. Visit http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/sleep/mattress-guidelines-sleep-comfort
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Is Your Workplace Causing Your Back Pain?
Become a fan and get the most up-to-date back and neck pain information. You can share your thoughts and stories on our page, plus connect with our passionate back and neck pain community.
Featured Article:
Ergonomics of the Office and Workplace: An Overview
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
READ! Article: Chiropractic More Effective than Standard Medical Care Alone
Patient Outcomes Proves More Effective with Chiropractic Combined with Standard Medical Care Than Standard Medical Care Alone in the Military
BY: D. Scott Ferguson
DC, William J. Owens DC, DAAMLP
Mark Studin DC, FASBE(c), DAAMLP, DAAPM
Many
people suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives. Most
will seek the advice of a healthcare professional. However, many times
this care is fragmented and not based on current evidence and can result
in poorer outcomes. When considering outcomes, all doctors must
consider creating a diagnosis, prognosis and then conclude a treatment
plan. It is that treatment plan, which then determines the outcome after
an accurate diagnosis. Many times, low back pain patients seek solely
standard medical care and bypass a more effective chiropractic solution.
This type of self-referral and physician triage has also been prevalent
in the military and asks the question based upon outcome studies, is
that in the best interest of both the military and the general public?
In
a recent paper by Goertz et al. (2013), the objective was, “To assess
changes in pain levels and physical functioning in response to standard
medical care (SMC) versus SMC plus chiropractic manipulative
therapy (chiropractic adjustments) for the treatment of low back pain
among 18 to 35-year-old active-duty military personnel” (p. 627). The
authors stated, “Lifetime prevalence of low back pain has been estimated
to be as high as 84%, with a median cost per quality-adjusted life year
of $13,015” (p. 627). The fact that lower back pain is a major source
of disability and abuse of pain medication makes providing the best care
possible a priority based upon outcome studies. In this paper, it was
reported that, “The majority of systematic reviews find that
chiropractic manipulative therapy (adjustments) seems to reduce pain and
disability at least moderately for many patients with low back pain”
(p. 627). Therefore, the questions are, “Should chiropractic care be
part of your treatment plan and should it be included with standard
medical treatment for lower back pain?”
In
the Goertz et al. (2013) study, the patients were allowed to seek
standard medical care in an unrestricted fashion which meant they could
go to their medical doctors as they normally would for lower back pain.
“Standard care included any or all of the following: a focused history
and physical examination, diagnostic imaging as indicated, education
about self-management including maintaining activity levels as
tolerated, pharmacological (drug) management with the use of analgesics
and anti-inflammatory agents, and physical therapy and modalities such
as heat/ice and referral to a pain clinic” (p. 628). On the
chiropractic side, the authors stated “Treatments consisted of HVLA
[high velocity low amplitude a.k.a. chiropractic adjustment]
manipulation as the primary approach in all cases, with ancillary
treatments at the doctor’s discretion, including brief massage, the use
of ice or heat in the lumbar area, stretching exercises, McKenzie
exercises, advice on activities of daily living, postural/ergonomic
advice; and mobilization” (p. 628). This is important since
chiropractors view the spine as an entire system and the approach to
patients is different as well as the therapeutic intervention.
In
conclusion, the authors reported, “The results of our pragmatic pilot
study indicate a statistically and clinically significant benefit to
those receiving chiropractic manipulative therapy (adjustments) in
addition to standard medical care” (p. 631). Finally, they report, “The
results of this trial suggest that chiropractic, in conjunction with
standard medical care, offers a significant advantage for decreasing
pain and improving physical functioning compared with only standard
medical care, for active-duty men and women between 18 and 35 years of
age with acute low back pain when delivered in a pragmatic treatment
setting” (p. 633).
This study concurs with a previous study by Liliedahl
et al. (2010) who studied 85,402 patients and adds to the growing body
of evidence in diverse forums that chiropractic for mechanical back pain
is more effective and cost-effective than standard medical care.
Evidence such as this helps to dispel the partial truths and overcome
the prejudices to help the public make informed choices.
References:
1.
Goertz, C. M., Long, C. R., Hondras, M. A., Petri, R., Delgado, R.,
Lawrence, D. J.,…Meeker, W. C. (2013). Adding chiropractic manipulative
therapy to standard medical care for patients with acute low back pain:
Results of a pragmatic randomized comparative effectiveness study. Spine, 38(8), 627-634.
2.
Liliedahl, R. L., Finch, M. D., Axene, D. V., & Goertz C. M.
(2010). Cost of care for common back pain conditions initiated with
chiropractic doctor vs. medical doctor/doctor of osteopathy as first
physician: Experience of one Tennessee-based general health insurer. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 33(9), 640-643.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Articles on lower back pain, depression, and spinal manipulation
In the assessment of lower back pain, differential diagnosis
utilizing a "triage" concept of classifying low back injuries into one
of three categories helps to guide the doctor of chiropractic. Click
below to read more:
http://www.spine-health.com/
It's not a surprise that most people suffering from chronic pain also experience depression, but did you know the reverse can be true as well? Check out the Depression Guide from Spine-Health:
http://www.spine-health.com/
Scientific evidence has indicated that spinal manipulation is a safe, mild-to-moderate pain reliever for lower back pain, neck pain and headache, and recent health care guidelines have listed it as a viable treatment option for symptoms that do not respond to self-care.
http://www.spine-health.com/
http://www.spine-health.com/
It's not a surprise that most people suffering from chronic pain also experience depression, but did you know the reverse can be true as well? Check out the Depression Guide from Spine-Health:
http://www.spine-health.com/
Scientific evidence has indicated that spinal manipulation is a safe, mild-to-moderate pain reliever for lower back pain, neck pain and headache, and recent health care guidelines have listed it as a viable treatment option for symptoms that do not respond to self-care.
http://www.spine-health.com/
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