Ryan Galiotto

Posts Tagged ‘back pain’

Do it yourself chronic back pain relief can be achieved at home and could be the most convenient way of dealing with a problem that affects freedom of movement and maybe even mobility.

You may be comforted to know that most chronic back pain disorders have an excellent prognosis and are often relieved and cured within a short period of time. There are a number of simple things that you can try initially which may be of help. They include where possible, using over the counter painkiller and anti-inflammatory medications and temporary treatment with muscle relaxants. The application of cold compresses, for example a packet of frozen peas wrapped in a cloth and then applied to the appropriate area, followed by a warm compress, such as a hot water bottle, or even a hot shower is helpful to relax the back and help it heal itself.

A simple tactic for chronic back pain relief to try is continuing with your usual routines. It is certainly not a good idea to refrain from activity as this can allow the cause of the pain to become more entrenched. Better to try and “work it” through gently. Activity and regular exercise are always recommended to keep your body in good shape, and things such as swimming or going for short walks, may help.

Regular exercise is a first class remedy to chronic back pain. It has the advantage, by keeping the area mobile, or helping to prevent any latent immobility from setting in at a later time. But if the pain continues for more than a few days, it may be necessary to see your doctor for a further diagnosis. Standard medications such as Paracetomol can help and should not be overlooked, indeed they have a good record in longer term chronic back pain relief.

Drugs such Ibuprofen, which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, are proven to reduce inflammation and pain. They should only be used for short periods however. Longer term use could cause stomach ulcers to form or encourage some other forms of stomach illness. COX 2 inflammatory inhibitors have mostly been withdrawn from the market because of concerns over reported links with cardiac disease. If you are considering going down this route, it is important that you consult with your doctor first. Muscle relaxants that can be bought over the drug store counter also have a god record of success, but their use should be limited and not allowed to become the norm for a recurring problem. It is the cause, not the effect that needs to be diagnosed and treated.

The adoption of specifically created therapies (similar to the Alexander technique) are interesting developments and have been known to have a degree of success. The major emphasis is on using your muscles and joints in the correct way which can both help to prevent back pain from developing, or can help in dealing with chronic back pain if it already exists. The ancient art of acupuncture is also know to provide chronic back pain relief. There are many thousands of back pain sufferers who swear by this method of treatment and claim to have been cured.

Vitamin C, and Glucosamine Sulphate can provide chronic back pain relief. A regular daily dosage of 1500 to 2500g per day is recommended, as good old vitamin C facilitates the growth of collagen which is an essential element of the disks in the spinal vertebrae. Regular dosages of Glucosamine Sulphate, can also bring chronic back pain relief.

Lowering the Risk Factors

Diabetes is a dangerous health problem. In adults, diabetes is related to long-term nutritional neglect and abuse.

Most of us don’t eat breakfast. Our fuel supply is very low, and we wind up running on fumes. We grab a high-calorie muffin or a candy bar later in the morning when we’re really, hungry. What we don’t know is that this snack causes insulin to dump out of the pancreas into the bloodstream, as the body attempts to process the surge in blood glucose from the snack we just ate.

This pattern is repeated throughout the day. A graph of the average person’s blood sugar levels would show sharp spikes – both highs and lows – in every 24-hour period. Eventually, the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas get tired and wear out. The result is consistently high levels of blood glucose which is called diabetes.

Diabetes can cause severe eye problems, severe kidney problems, and severe circulatory problems. It is associated with obesity, heart disease, and increased mortality. Not good.

An obvious preventive strategy would be to ensure that blood glucose levels are steady throughout the day. Actually, this is easy to do. All that’s required is to develop healthy eating habits and do regular exercise.

Eat breakfast – a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese mixed with a 6-ounce cup of yogurt is all you need.

Do food combining at every meal – always eat a combination of protein and carbohydrate

No between-meal snacks is a very important rule to follow.

Regular exercise that is challenging and fun – build-up gradually and be consistent

We’re in the middle of several deadly epidemics in the United States. Obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are affecting more and more people every year. Recent statistics show that two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese. Thirty percent of American children are obese. Approximately 21 million Americans have diabetes. One child out of every 500 has type I diabetes. In America, 72 million adults have high blood pressure. These are shocking statistics, considering that U.S. health care expenditures totaled $2 trillion in 2006. That’s 2 TRILLION dollars.

As Americans, we’re getting less healthy by the day. The good news is there are many things we can do about these trends. There is real action that every American, young and old, can take to support and protect their health and well-being. These action steps all focus on lifestyle – the choices we make each and every day.

The first step is an honest self-assessment. When was the last time I exercised? Does my clothes size increase every couple of years? How many times during the week do I eat fast food? When was the last time I ate an apple instead of half a box of cookies?

Regardless of the answers, it is possible to become healthy and fit again, whatever your current circumstances. You CAN lose 10 or 20 or 30 or however many pounds. You CAN climb stairs without getting out of breath. You CAN regain the youthful glow of vitality. You CAN be vigorous and proud of your body, rather than worrying about what’s going to be the next thing to break down.

Healthy eating and regular exercise are essential parts of the solution to combating obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.1,2 These practices have the magical effect of resetting your metabolic clock – your body shifts from a pattern of storing fat to a pattern of burning fat.3 Over time, with a nutritious food plan and consistent exercise, you even burn fat while you’re resting! Your body is very smart. You just have to treat it right.

Your chiropractor is a wonderful asset – both as a health care practitioner and as a guide – on your journey toward fitness and wellness. Your chiropractor has extensive resources available on practical nutrition and how to design a supportive food plan. He or she has deep knowledge regarding the types of exercises and activities that will be right for you. You and your chiropractor can design an exercise program that will be both fun and rewarding. Working together, you’ll be maximizing your health and vitality. You will begin to fulfill a way of living that will support you in being healthy and well for years to come.

1Lindstrom J, et al: Sustained reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes by lifestyle intervention: follow-up of the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study. Lancet 368(9548):1673-1679, 2006. 2Orchard TJ, et al: The effect of metformin and intensive lifestyle intervention on the metabolic syndrome: the Diabetes Prevention Program randomized trial. Ann Intern Med 142(8):611-619, 2005 3Yannakoulia M, et al: A dietary pattern characterized by high consumption of whole-grain cereals and low-fat dairy products and low consumption of refined cereals is positively associated with plasma adiponectin levels in healthy women. Metabolism 57(6):824-830, 2008