Archive for the ‘Pain Management’ Category

January 11th, 2012  Posted at   Pain Management

Some of the most poignant voices are heard from people who suffer a herniated disc and treatment for herniated disc in lower back is very convoluted.

What Is A Herniated Disc?

Our spine is cushioned by tiny, mushy discs. The main job of these spongy discs is to absorb the shocks endured by our body. Herniated disc is a condition when our discs get damaged or ruptured. It mostly affects our lower back and sometimes the pain can be felt near the neck (cervical spine).

People who are entangled in jobs and sports which require heavy lifting, pushing, twisting are very likely to suffer from this disorder. And with surgeries offering very poor curative results, people are bound to embrace natural remedies.

The Best Natural Treatments:

1) Rest is regarded to be the most effective treatment for herniated disc in lower back. But sometimes, over resting may backfire as it can weaken the surrounding muscles. Therefore, light activities with some rest can bring great relief.

2) Ice or heat treatment can bring great comfort to the patient. Depending on what you are more comfortable with, either of them can be applied to the affected area. They help to numb the nerves, reduces swelling and soothes out the pain. Always remember not to keep both of the either packs on for too long. Apply it for ten minutes followed by a five minutes rest.

3)Back posture is known to be a very important factor for herniated disc since improper posture may exaggerate our condition. Find a relaxing position for rest and sleeping with small pillows can do wonders. Try to use a medium-firm bed with small pillow under your head and knees. Alternatively, sleeping flat on the floor can also bring relief but try not to sleep in one spot for too long.

4)Regular massaging with safflower seed oil, Ignatia and Naja oil with some menthol can bring relief to those who are suffering from herniated disc, as they have their own medicinal values. (more…)

January 11th, 2012  Posted at   Pain Management
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The causes of your diseases and conditions they present are crucial to the frequency and type of treatments you will receive from your health care provider. The causes will determine the severity and the appropriate treatment plan suited to alleviate the pain, among the other symptoms that you are feeling. This is especially true for conditions like neck pain. Although this condition can appear to disappear after time, it is always important to understand why you are having these pains. Here are some of the common causes of this certain type of pain:

  • Activities that you often do and overall lifestyle: sometimes, things you do normally or repeatedly can cause neck pains, especially if these activities promote bad posture. For example, when you have a job that causes you to be idle for hours like sitting in front of the computer, you can develop a bad routine posture that can cause neck pains. Also, you can have these pains on your neck when you accidentally or frequently sleep the wrong way, like if you are sleeping on an awkward position or you have a pillow that is too stiff or too big for you. Furthermore, these can also be caused by obesity, and weak muscles on your abdomen can give you neck pains, too.
  • Age-related problems: One of the most common problems people of old age face are their bones and body parts degenerating as they grow older. Old age can also cause neck pains because it may be a symptom of an underlying disease that mostly people of old age acquire. Examples of these conditions are spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc diseases, and bulging discs. These conditions cause pressing on the nerve roots, which causes the pain on your neck.
  • Accidents and injuries: Neck pains can also be caused by traumas you get from accidents and injuries you experience. For example, when you experience whiplash or the abrupt and forced movement of your head and neck when you meet an accident. This sudden beating of your neck causes injuries on the tissues that surround the area hence, the pains on your neck.
  • Chronic disorders: Neck pains can also be caused by chronic disorders especially if you notice that your neck pain is prolonged or recurring. Conditions such as spinal infections, compressions, a tumor or a fracture can cause these pains. (more…)
January 11th, 2012  Posted at   Pain Management

TENS, what are they, and how do they work? To start off, TENS are known as: Tenascutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation. What they are: four small square pads connected by small wires, (known as electrodes), which are usually placed directly on your skin; either near, or on the pained area. Though it is a stimulant, you feel a sensation of “pins and needles”, and while it does not hurt, some people have had caused of irritated skin; in those cases they are given hypoallergenic pads to reduce irritation. They are typically used to treat conditions that range from sprains to arthritis, to sciatica and scoliosis.

How TENS Work

The TENS are then set to whichever setting is the most comfortable for you, and they proceed to send electric pulse waves to your nerve fibers. They are completely controlled by you. They are used to help jump start your body’s endorphins and encephalin, to help ease the pain.

TENS have also been used on stroke patients, and have been known to help give stroke survivors feeling in their limbs again. What the doctors use are called NESS L300, and they attach to the patients brace (wherever that may be), and they detect whether the patient has their limb in the air, or on the ground. They then send an electrical current to the patient’s personal nerve that helps activate their muscles and corrects their gaits.

Lovely Benefits

They’re mainly used to help ease the pain, and strengthen your muscles by reducing any muscle spasms you acquire. Electric therapy also helps with your circulation, and it adds to the range of your muscles. For stroke patients, they’ve been known to improve their walking abilities and control, increase the blood flow circulation, and their walking speed.

TENS have been used for stroke patients, people with stiffened joints and pulled muscles, sufferers of multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injured patients, and those with cerebral palsy. (more…)