Posts Tagged ‘low back pain’

Cupping – An Alternative to Acupuncture

June 12th, 2010
Michael Russell asked:




Cupping has been a part of Chinese medicine for thousands of years and is practiced today by many acupuncturists and herbalists. It is often used as an alternative to acupuncture and can be applied to most of the same acupuncture points and meridians although some points may be too small for cupping. It is used in China today primarily to treat respiratory ailments such as asthma and bronchitis but is also used for arthritis, low back pain, depression, gastrointestinal problems and many types of pain in large soft tissue areas. Sometimes cupping is used after acupuncture to further stimulate the flow of blood and qi to the area.

The general idea is to create a partial vacuum inside a cup, which is then placed on the skin. The suction on the surface of the skin from the cup stimulates blood flow in the area, relieves congestion and inflammation in the muscles and opens up pathways to eliminate toxins. In ancient Chinese practice, the cups were made of bamboo, animal horns or pottery. Today the cups are most often made of thick glass so that the acupuncturist can see the skin under the cup. The most common way of creating a vacuum inside the cup is to burn something inside the cup, often a cotton ball soaked in alcohol or a candle. The burning consumes the oxygen inside the cup, which lowers the density of the air inside thereby creating a partial vacuum. The cup is then quickly turned upside down and the open end is placed on the skin. The partial vacuum holds the cup in place but, if necessary, oil can be placed on the skin before hand so that the cup can be moved around. This method is called gliding cupping and can be used to cover a fairly large area of skin. However, more often many cups are used at once to cover a large area such as the back or abdomen. Cups are usually applied to acupuncture points but can also be used on specific areas of pain. In a normal cupping session, the cups are left in place for 10 to 15 minutes.

Burning something inside the cup, referred to as dry or fire cupping is only one way of creating the suction. A more modern technique is to use a vacuum pump or flexible suction cup attached to the glass cup to draw out the air after the cup has been placed on the skin. This method is called air cupping. In some cases, the skin is pricked with a needle before the cup is applied. This is called wet cupping and is believed to help remove toxins from the body. Usually only a few drops of blood are drawn out by the pressure during wet cupping.

Cupping is considered to be fairly safe but should not be used on rashes or on people who bleed easily or have a high fever. There is no sensation of pain from cupping although you will definitely feel the pulling on your skin. Occasionally a minor skin bruise can be seen after cupping but it usually clears up after a few days. As an alternative to using acupuncture needles, cupping avoids the pain and puncturing of the skin and does not demand an experienced practitioner. There is no danger of needle injury or infection.

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Stress Triggers Back Pain

April 17th, 2010
Pierre Gabriel Duncan asked:




Stress and other emotional factors are believed to play a major role in low back pain, particularly chronic low back pain. Many people unconsciously tighten their back muscles when they are under stress, studies revealed.

Low back pain is used to describe a range of symptoms. Depending on the cause, low back pain may be dull, burning, or sharp. It may be felt at a single point or over a broad area.

It can come on gradually or suddenly and may occur with muscle spasms or stiffness.

Back pain can either be acute or chronic. Acute lasts for less than three months and most people gain relief after about 4 to 6 weeks of home treatment.

Chronic on the other hand lasts longer than three months.

Experts said stress causes tense muscles which are tight and feel “hard” to the touch.

People who are stressed often have neck, shoulder, and low back pain. This may be caused by constant tension in the muscle because of stress. Stress also affects rheumatoid arthritis.

Easy remedies

For chronic back pains, simple home remedies will ease the pain. Applying ice for 5 to 15 minutes every two or three hours will do a lot of help. Taking a hot shower or using a heating pad or hot water bottle can do wonders for some.

Others opt the fast and easy relief from pain medicines like Tramadol. Taking Tramadol on a regular schedule usually works best instead of waiting until the pain is severe. A number of online pharmacies including drugstoretm.com. carry Tramadol.

For the first day or two, rest in a comfortable position. Try lying on your side with a pillow between your knees. Or lie on your back on the floor with a pillow under your knees.

Medical experts advise patients to get back to their normal activities as soon as possible. Movement helps your muscles stay strong. Staying in bed for more than 1 or 2 days, they said, can actually make the problem worse.

Walking is the simplest and perhaps the best exercise for the lower back.

However, if symptoms are severe or pain does not stop even after two weeks of self care, it is best to consult a doctor. Stronger pain medicines and physical therapy may be necessary.

Strive to make your lives stress-free as stress is one of the main causes of back pains.

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Three Steps to Relieving Severe Chronic Back Pain

February 14th, 2010

Do you have  severe chronic back pain, then you know how unbearable it can be. Doing simple things becomes a difficult task , and you can only think about how much it hurts .

 

In the old days , bed rest was the recomended therapy , or surgery was even suggested . Sadly, with all good intentions for the patient , these suggestions were the worst possible ways to treat severe chronic back pain. The muscles atrophied and the body loss mobility.

 

New and more diverse treatments are now available for low back pain, whether severe or moderate.

 

 

It is wise to apply a cold compress to the back when the pain first begins. This can decrease the pain and inflammation you experience, and at the same time help maintain back mobility. An easy way to do this is to use a bag of ice or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel . This ice can be applied several times during the first day, for up to twenty minutes at a time . After a couple of days of cold treatment, heat can be used, like with a rice sack or heating pad . This treatment can relax the muscles and increase the flow of blood to the injured area, promoting healing. A warm bath can also be soothing.

 

 

Bed rest can be used, but not alone and not for extended periods. In studies, it has been found that continuing activities without bed rest after back pain can help the back maintain flexibility. Also, it was found that bed rest alone could make the low back pain more severe and lead to other complications (like blood clots in the legs, depression and loss of muscle tone). It is much better to get back to regular activities as soon as possible. At night or while resting, lie on one side with a pillow between the knees, or on the back with a pillow under the knees.

 

 

Exercise! Particularly before it becomes severe lower back pain. Exercise will strengthen the back and abdominal muscles, and that is the key. Generally doctors recommend stretching exercises, walking and swimming. Yoga can also help by stretching the muscles and strengthening the body. Usually, a bit of exercise is a great lower back pain treatment, but if the pain increases, stop exercising and consult your medical practitioner.

 

 

Many people find relief of moderate to severe lower back pain by visiting a chiropractor. A chiropractor is trained in the ways to adjust the body and manipulate the spine to fix misalignments that can lead to lower back pain.

 

 

Medicines are often heavily relied on to treat severe lower back pain. Sometimes, the medical practitioner will recommend a combination of over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Be sure to check with your doctor to know that they are safe for you.

 

 



Common Drugs To Combat Severe Lower Back Pain

 

 

Analgesics (like aspirin or ibuprofen), are taken orally, and help reduce inflammation. Counter-irritants (applied as a spray or cream) stimulate the nerve endings on the skin to feel warm or cold, and dull the pain. Topical analgesics can also reduce inflammation and help with blood flow. Antidepressants can be used to dull the pain and elevate the person mood.

 

Opioids, like codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone and morphine, should only be used for the most severe lower back pain, and only for a short amount of time, while under a doctor care. These have many side effects, making this less ideal for treating back pain than some other options.

 



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