Choosing Mattresses When You Have Back Pain - Chiro Blog RI

If you have lower back pain, finding the right mattress can make a world of difference. Use these tips to help find the best mattress for your back pain.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/which-mattress-best-lower-back-pain

Walking is good for you! Rhode Island Spinal Health

Incorporate this easy exercise into your daily routine for a healthy lower back.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/2-reasons-why-walking-good-your-lower-back

Exercise is Usually Better for Lower Back Pain than Rest

Find out why exercise is typically better for your lower back pain than prolonged rest.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/importance-aerobic-exercise-easing-lower-back-pain

Lumber Disk Herniation

Learn how a lumbar disc herniates and can cause lower back pain. Please watch the below video.

http://www.spine-health.com/video/lumbar-herniated-disc-video?source=3tab

Pregnancy Often Leads to Lower Back Pain

Chiropractic treatments for pregnant women suffering from lower back pain has a very high success rate and can be combined with other treatments that do not include adding medications into the system.

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/pregnancy-and-back-pain/treatments-low-back-pain-during-pregnancy

Lower Spine Anatomy and Pain

The spine in the lower back has several unique characteristics that allow for normal motion, but are also prone to injury.

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/spine-anatomy/lumbar-spine-anatomy-and-pain

What You Need To Know About Sciatica

What is "sciatica"? The term sciatica describes the symptoms of leg pain and possibly tingling, numbness or weakness that originates in the lower back and travels through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of the leg. Get the details below:

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sciatica/what-you-need-know-about-sciatica

See the page on Rick Jardon's site about the condition and watch our video, or read about other conditions

Lower Back / Buttock Pain

For patients with lower back or buttock pain that stems from the sacroiliac joint, a variety of chiropractic procedures can be applied and are often considered the first line of treatment.

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sacroiliac-joint-dysfunction/chiropractic-procedures-sacroiliac-joint

Hamstring Stretching for Low Back & Sciatica Relief

Most low back pain and sciatica problems will benefit from a regular routine of hamstring stretching. Read all about it and check out the videos, too.

http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/hamstring-stretching-exercises-sciatica-pain-relief

Lumbar Spine Anatomy / Pain

The spine in the lower back has several unique characteristics that allow for normal motion, but are also prone to injury.

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/spine-anatomy/lumbar-spine-anatomy-and-pain

Hamstring Muscles - Video!

Strong hamstring muscles can reduce the strain on the structures in the spine and lessen pain in the lower back.

http://www.spine-health.com/video/hamstring-exercises-low-back-pain-relief-video

Axial Pain

Axial pain represents the most common type of low back pain and is only found in the lower back - it does not extend to the buttocks or legs.

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain/axial-back-pain-most-common-low-back-pain

Exercise and Chiropractic Therapy

Cardiovascular and strengthening exercises combined with chiropractic care are important in the management of low back pain

If a patient has a history of heart problems, it is important for the patient to consult with not only the doctor of chiropractic but their primary care physician to be certain that they can tolerate cardiovascular fitness-promoting activities. Specific instructions are given by the chiropractor with respect to proper exercise for the patient's condition before beginning any exercise program.

In general, a reasonable amount of exercise performed daily and utilizing enjoyable activities is recommended for patients undergoing chiropractic treatment.

Exercise Benefits

Many studies have reported the importance of exercises in managing acute and chronic low back pain, strengthening the low back, preventing and keeping back patients working, and to improve quality of life. The strength of the abdominal muscles was also found to be able to differentiate between those with vs. without chronic LBP.

Overall and when combined with chiropractic care, aerobic exercise helps promote proper digestion, keeps the muscles in proper tone and promotes better circulation. Walking briskly around the block at least once or twice is a convenient and popular activity.
Also, many forms of work and/or household tasks can function as an exercise program. The important point is to exercise!

Types of Exercises

There are many applicable back exercises that are available for patients also undergoing chiropractic care for lower back pain. One can classify the chiropractic patient into a flexion or extension biased category to determine the variety that is best for that patient. For example:

- If a patient feels best when bending over (flexion biased), exercises that promote low back flexion such as pulling the knees to the chest, posterior pelvic tilts, bending forward from a sitting position and others are usually helpful.

- If a patient is least symptomatic in extension, especially if leg pain centralizes or diminishes (extension biased), prone press- up type exercises usually yield the best results.

Other exercises that can help reduce lower back pain include:

-Strengthening of the pelvic (trunk) stabilizing muscles

-Stretching of the hamstrings, adductors, and other overly short or tight postural muscles

-Proprioceptive or balance promoting.

Benefits of Back and Abdominal Exercise

Weak and/or overly tight supporting muscles can have painful spasms and suffer injuries themselves,
which then prevent them from supporting the spine as needed. Compromised muscles can also lead to problems with bone structure of the spine due to poor posture from the weak muscles, thereby creating an increased risk of back pain/ injury.

Consequently, developing combined strength in stomach muscles and back muscles can:

- Reduce the likelihood of back pain episodes

- Reduce the severity of back pain

- Protect against injury by responding efficiently to stresses

- Help avoid back surgery in some cases

- Facilitate healing from a back problem or after spine surgery

- Improve posture.

Reported Efficacy of Exercise in Chiropractic Care

According to the Scientific Commission of the Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters (CCGPP):

- Strong evidence supports exercise as being at least as effective as other non-surgical treatments for chronic low back pain

- Moderate evidence supports use of a graded-activity exercise program in occupational settings for subacute lower back pain

- Some evidence shows that exercises are no more effective than other nonsurgical treatments for acute lower back pain.

As with any chiropractic treatment, it is important for chiropractors to perform a focused reevaluation of an exercise program following its initial therapeutic trial to determine its effectiveness. Using spinal range of motion as a measurement of the effectiveness of exercise is just one way in which chiropractors can make such determinations.

Learn more about exercise and back pain. Visit http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/back-exercises

VIDEO: Sacroiliac Joint

Sacroiliac joint problems can cause lower back pain and/or leg pain and is often treated first with chiropractic care.

http://www.spine-health.com/video/chiropractic-adjustment-sacroiliac-joint-video

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.

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

Spinal Manipulations More Effective than Meds for Lower Back Pain?

A study shows that spinal manipulation is more effective than medication for low back pain relief:

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/chiropractic-manipulation-or-medication-low-back-pain

DIY Heat/Cold Therapy

In a world of sophisticated medical care, a simple ice massage can still be one of the more effective, proven methods to treat a sore lower back or neck. It is effective when used either alone or in combination with other treatments, such as chiropractic care. Read more below:

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/heat-therapy-cold-therapy/ice-massage-back-pain-relief

Manual Material Handling to Prevent Back Injury

Any job that involves heavy labor or manual material handling may be in a high-risk category. Manual material handling entails lifting, but also usually includes climbing, pushing, pulling, and pivoting, all of which pose the risk of injury to the back. Learn more...

Dr. Jardon - Have You Experienced Sciatica?

Dr. Rick Jardon on Sciatica

Hurt Your Back? Use Ice and Get in Quick!

Just a quick thought; if you hurt your back, remember to ice (not heat) and take ibuprofen asap and for the first 48-72 hours. Also, go swimming to help keep you loose while not stressing your back in the process. Call me asap so that we can nip it in the bud before it becomes a time consuming and costly issue.