Neck Pain Causes Stress

There’s no question that tension and stress can manifest itself in the body. Whether it’s a headache or tight muscles, psychological factors can take a toll on our physical body.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/how-relieve-neck-pain-caused-stress?source=3tab

Tips for a Happy Healthy Spine

Whether it's a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or strained muscles, can take some time to diagnose and treat the causes of back pain.  And all the while, you're trying to navigate health insurance, work and family life, and everyday stressors—all while dealing with your back pain.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/five-ways-keep-your-spine-healthy-and-happy?source=3tab

Should I Work Thru Joint Pain?

Exercise can be difficult while in pain, but it is a key aspect in healing from the injury and preventing future episodes of pain. Muscle pain and aches can be normal, but flaring joint pain should be a warning to avoid certain exercises. Check out this video from Spine-Health.com for information.

http://www.spine-health.com/video/video-if-my-back-or-joints-hurt-should-i-work-through-pain

VIDEO: Exercise Through Pain?

Exercise can be difficult while in pain, but it is a key aspect in healing from the injury and preventing future episodes of pain. Muscle pain and aches can be normal, but flaring joint pain should be a warning to avoid certain exercises. Check out this video:

http://www.spine-health.com/video/video-if-my-back-or-joints-hurt-should-i-work-through-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

Myofascial Therapy

Pain in an area of your body with soft tissue may be helped by treating the myofascia (trigger points) with stretching of the skin and muscles.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/physical-therapy/myofascial-therapy-treatment-acute-and-chronic-pain

Exercise and Chiro

Exercise and chiropractic care go hand in hand as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to back or neck recovery.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/exercise-and-chiropractic-therapy

Muscle Relaxants

Muscle Relaxants

Muscle relaxants are a group of several different drugs that each have an overall sedative effect on the body. They are typically prescribed early in a course of back pain, on a short-term basis, to relieve the pain and associated spasms. Learn more...

Dr. Jardon - Have You Experienced Sciatica?

Dr. Rick Jardon on Sciatica

DIY back passage | Sacroiliac joint dysfunction | Exercise pain

Do-it-yourself massage ideas to alleviate back pain!
http://www.spine-health.com/blog/how-tennis-balls-and-duct-tape-can-morph-a-do-it-yourself-massage-lower-back-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

Exercise can be difficult while in pain, but it is a key aspect in healing from the injury and preventing future episodes of pain. Muscle pain and aches can be normal, but flaring joint pain should be a warning to avoid certain exercises. Check out this video:
http://www.spine-health.com/video/video-if-my-back-or-joints-hurt-should-i-work-through-pain

Conservative vs Surgical Care for Lower Back Pain

For most people, any episode of lower back pain will tend to get better within two weeks to three months. During this time period that an episode of back pain is resolving, or if the back pain is chronic, it is important to consider the appropriate course of conservative (meaning non-surgical) treatment in order to:

• Reduce pain and spasm
• Provide conditioning for the back
• Assist in managing issues frequently associated with back pain, such as sleeplessness or depression.

Chiropractic on the Lumbar Spine Video

 

Treatment options are considered "conservative" when they are non-invasive (such as medication) or markedly less invasive (such as injections or chiropractic manual manipulation) than surgery.
As a general rule, surgery for lower back pain is considered if conservative back treatment fails and the lower back pain and/or leg pain persists for an extended period of time, or if the patient is unable to maintain a satisfactory ability to function in everyday activities.

There are a few exceptions to this general rule. Conservative treatments are not the first option of choice if:

• The patient loses bowel or bladder control, or develops progressive weakness in the legs - these symptoms constitute a medical emergency and require immediate surgery. However, surgical emergencies for back pain are extremely rare and most episodes of lower back pain can be treated nonsurgically. For more information, see When Back Pain May Be A Medical Emergency.
• The patient has lower back pain, but an anatomical cause of the pain cannot be identified, surgery is not advisable and conservative treatments are the only recommended course of action. For more information, see What to Expect from Spine Surgery for Low Back Pain.

The length of time that conservative treatment should continue varies widely. Here are two general rules to help provide some context for patients:

• In general, the more pain and dysfunction a patient experiences, the earlier surgical treatments will be considered.
• The morbidity (e.g. incidence of post-operative discomfort) or extent of the surgery must also be considered, and therefore a microsurgery (small surgery using microscopes) will be considered much earlier than a much more extensive fusion operation.

In This Article:

• Conservative vs Surgical Care for Lower Back Pain
• Video: Am I a Candidate for Back Surgery?

For a more complete discussion of the role of back surgery, see Back Surgery and Neck Surgery Overview.
At the onset of lower back pain it is generally advisable to try one or two days of bed rest to decrease muscle spasm and allow the back to rest. More extensive bed rest seems to be counterproductive because it leads to further deconditioning (weakening) of the muscles that provide critical support for the spine.

In addition to initial bed rest, either one or a combination of several conservative treatment options is often recommended in order to alleviate pain and rehabilitate the lower back. To review nonsurgical treatments, see Back Pain Treatment: Non-Surgical Options for Pain Relief

Next Page: Video: Am I a Candidate for Back Surgery?

 

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How to treat your lower back pain

In the US, lower back pain is one of the most common conditions and one of the leading causes of physician visits. In fact, at least 4 out of 5 adults will experience it at some point in their lives. Take an in-depth look at the common causes of lower back pain and the treatment options available.

Featured Article:
Lower Back Pain Treatment

Easy Do-It-Yourself Ice Massage Therapy

To do ice massage therapy, a regular ice cube may be used, but it’s better to use a larger piece of ice. One easy way to do this is to freeze water in a paper or Styrofoam cup, then peel the top inch or two of the cup to expose the ice surface. Read more about how to use ice massage for back pain relief.

Applying heat therapy

The most effective heat therapy products are the ones that can maintain their heat at the proper temperature.

"Warm" is the proper temperature. Patients should not have their heat source be hot to the point of burning the skin.

Read more about how to apply heat therapy.

Pulled Back Muscle Treatment

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain/pulled-back-muscle-treatment

Fortunately, back muscle strains usually heal with time, with most healing within a few days and almost all resolving within 3 to 4 weeks. The large muscles in the low back have a good blood supply, which bring the necessary nutrients and proteins for healing to take place.

• See Back Muscles and Low Back Pain

If the lower back muscle pain is severe, the patient may be advised to rest, but for no more than one or two days.

Initial Treatments for Pulled Back Muscles

Typical first line treatments include some combination of:

• Pain medication (such as acetaminophen), to interrupt transmission of pain signals to the brain
• See Pain Medication
• Anti-inflammatory medication (such as ibuprofen, or possibly oral steroids), to reduce the local inflammation that is a cause of the pain
• See NSAIDs
• Muscle relaxants, which may be prescribed on a short-term basis to relieve severe lower back pain associated with muscle spasms.
• See Muscle Relaxants
• Massage, which can help promote blood flow in the lower back (to help with healing), loosen tight lower back muscles, and release endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers.
• See Massage Therapy for Lower Back Pain
• Chiropractic. Gentle manual manipulation is an option to help loosen tight back muscles and promote healing in the lower back.
• See Chiropractic Treatments for Lower Back Pain.

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• Ice or cold packs. Application of some type of cold pack can help reduce inflammation, which is helpful immediately following the injury.
• See Ice Massage Therapy
• Heat therapy. Application of heat to the lower back is helpful longer term to stimulate blood flow and healing to the injured area.
• See Heat Therapy

If an episode of low back pain lasts for more than two weeks, the muscles may start to weaken. Because using the lower back muscles is painful, the natural tendency for most patients is to avoid using them. However, lack of activity leads to disuse atrophy (muscle wasting) and subsequent weakening, which in turn causes more low back pain because the muscles are less able to help hold up the spine.

In This Article:

• Pulled Back Muscle and Lower Back Strain
• Pulled Back Muscle Treatment
• Lower Back Strain Video

Back Exercises as Muscle Strain Treatments

Importance of Lower Back Exercise Video

As a general rule, people who are active and well-conditioned are much less likely to suffer from low back pain due to muscle strain, as regular exercise stretches the muscles so they are less likely to strain, tear or spasm.

• For further reading: Exercise and Back Pain

There are three types of muscles that support the spine:

• Extensors (back muscles and gluteal muscles)
• Flexors (abdominal muscles and iliopsoas muscles)
• Obliques or Rotators (side muscles)

While some of these muscles are used in everyday life, most do not get adequate exercise from daily activities and tend to weaken with age unless they are specifically exercised.

• More about Exercises for the Back and Abdominals

A complete exercise program for the low back should consist of a combination of:

• Stretching for Back Pain Relief
• Back Strengthening Exercises
• Low-Impact Aerobic Exercise

Finally, a regular, sustained program of hamstring stretching will help reduce and prevent back muscle tightness and injury. The hamstring muscle runs through the back of each thigh. Tightness in this muscle limits motion in the pelvis which can strain the lower back. Regular hamstring stretching can gradually lengthen these muscles and reduce the stress felt in the lower back.

• See also Specific Hamstring Stretches for Back Pain Relief.

Travel Aches and Strains Can Be a Pain In Your Back

Traveling can be rough on the body. Whether you are traveling alone on business or on your way to a sunny resort with your family, long hours in a car or an airplane can leave you stressed, tired, stiff and sore.

"Prolonged sitting can wreak havoc on your body," says Dr. Scott Bautch, an ACA media spokesperson. "Even if you travel in the most comfortable car or opt to fly first class, certain pressures and forces from awkward positions can result in restricted blood flow. One of the biggest insults to your system from prolonged sitting is the buildup of pressure in the blood vessels in your lower legs. Contracting and relaxing the muscles helps the blood flow properly."

Dr. Bautch and the ACA suggest the following tips and advice to fight the pains and strains of travel before they occur.

Warm Up, Cool Down
Treat travel as an athletic event. Warm up before settling into a car or plane, and cool down once you reach your destination. Take a brisk walk to stretch your hamstring and calf muscles.

In the Car:

• Adjust the seat so you are as close to the steering wheel as comfortably possible. Your knees should be slightly higher than your hips. Place four fingers behind the back of your thigh closest to your knee. If you cannot easily slide your fingers in and out of that space, you need to re-adjust your seat.
• Consider a back support. Using a support behind your back may reduce the risk of low-back strain, pain or injury. The widest part of the support should be between the bottom of your rib cage and your waistline.
• Exercise your legs while driving to reduce the risk of any swelling, fatigue or discomfort. Open your toes as wide as you can, and count to 10. Count to five while you tighten your calf muscles, then your thigh muscles, then your gluteal muscles. Roll your shoulders forward and back, making sure to keep your hands on the steering wheel and your eyes on the road.
• To minimize arm and hand tension while driving, hold the steering wheel at approximately 3 o'clock and 7 o'clock, periodically switching to 10 o'clock and 5 o'clock.
• Do not grip the steering wheel. Instead, tighten and loosen your grip to improve hand circulation and decrease muscle fatigue in the arms, wrists and hands.
• While always being careful to keep your eyes on the road, vary your focal point while driving to reduce the risk of eye fatigue and tension headaches.
• Take rest breaks. Never underestimate the potential consequences of fatigue to yourself, your passengers and other drivers.

In an Airplane:

• Stand up straight and feel the normal "S" curve of your spine. Then use rolled-up pillows or blankets to maintain that curve when you sit in your seat. Tuck a pillow behind your back and just above the beltline and lay another pillow across the gap between your neck and the headrest. If the seat is hollowed from wear, use folded blankets to raise your buttocks a little.
• Check all bags heavier than 5-10 percent of your body weight. Overhead lifting of any significant amount of weight should be avoided to reduce the risk of pain in the lower back or neck. While lifting your bags, stand right in front of the overhead compartment so the spine is not rotated. Do not lift your bags over your head, or turn or twist your head and neck in the process.
• When stowing belongings under the seat, do not force the object with an awkward motion using your legs, feet or arms. This may cause muscle strain or spasms in the upper thighs and lower back muscles. Instead, sit in your seat first, and using your hands and feet, gently guide your bags under the seat directly in front of you.
• While seated, vary your position occasionally to improve circulation and avoid leg cramps. Massage legs and calves. Bring your legs in, and move your knees up and down. Prop your legs up on a book or a bag under your seat.
• Do not sit directly under the air controls. The draft can increase tension in your neck and shoulder muscles.

Safe Travel For Children:

• Always use a car seat in a car when traveling with children below the age of 4 and weighing less than 40 pounds.
• Ask the airline for their policy on child car seat safety. Car seats for infants and toddlers provide added resistance to turbulent skies, and are safer than the lap of a parent in the event of an unfortunate accident.
• Make sure the car seat is appropriate for the age and size of the child. A newborn infant requires a different seat than a 3-year-old toddler.
• Car seats for infants should always face the rear. In this position, the forces and impact of a crash will be spread more evenly along the back and shoulders, providing more protection for the neck.
• Car seats should always be placed in the back seat of the car-ideally in the center. This is especially important in cars equipped with air bags. If an air bag becomes deployed, the force could seriously injure or kill a child or infant placed in the front seat.
• Make sure the car seat is properly secured to the seat of the vehicle and is placed at a 45-degree angle to support the head of the infant or child.

Chiropractic Care Can Help...
"If you follow these simple tips, you can enjoy pain-free, safe travel," says Dr. Bautch. "If you do experience pain and stress on your back, doctors of chiropractic are trained and licensed to diagnose and treat problems of the spine and nervous system."