BACK BE BETTER

Back, neck and shoulder pain relief with advice,
products and exercises that help in relieving back pain,
sciatica, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms and strains and stress

This blog has serious advice

that can help your back, neck

and shoulders feel better through

exercises and information as to how

to handle and prevent pain.

How To Lower Your Back Pain

by: Dave Lloyd

Chronic back pain afflicts millions of people worldwide. And for those
who suffer consistently from sore, stiff, even traumatized back muscles
and spinal joints, it can be debilitating. There are many causes to
back pain including poor posture, weak abdominal muscles, misaligned
spinal column, lack of chair support when seated, unsupportive bed or
pillow, and certainly stress and anxiety which gets localized in the
body in the back. Regardless of what is causing your back to be
consistently sore, you're looking for relief, at least somthing that
will permit you to get through another day.

Resources do exist, help is available. Exercise consistently ranks as
the top preventive remedy for lowering back pain. For some people it
may be weight bearing exercises such as walking, running, or tennis -
others may benefit from swimming, rowing (with proper technique), or
stair climbing on a gym machine. Stretching exercises and abdominal
strengthening drills, though, can focus your body's attention on local
support for removing back pain.

Another common resource includes professional help - physical
therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, and acupuncturists each
have special methods for approaching back pain. While all have merits,
it's best to consider them all in various forms as a specific technique
or a combination may be just what you need.

A consideration for many in extreme pain is medication. This could be
general pain relieving drugs that can be bought over the counter or a
prescription-required med. Some sleep medications can also provide a
side benefit of loosening the muscles just enough to provide consistent
back relief. Consult your psychiatrist or medical professional for more
help.

Chronic back pain does not need to be a permanent problem in your
life. While spinal misalignment or years of poor posture may limit the
improvements you can make, some relief is definitely possible. Through
the pursuit of consistent exercise, professional help, or even
medication, some relief is possible for your back pain.

BACK BE BETTER

Back, neck and shoulder pain relief with advice,
products and exercises that help in relieving back pain,
sciatica, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms and strains and stress

This blog has serious advice

that can help your back, neck

and shoulders feel better through

exercises and information as to how

to handle and prevent pain.

(Note: you may click on the image below

to see it in full screen.)

Are You a Beginner in the Back Pain Battles?

Back pain, and especially low back pain, is almost as common a malady and topic of
conversation among adults as Linday Lohan is among their children.

If you're a beginner in the back pain battles, perhaps the first thing you need to know
is, there are many things that can help you. Of course, if your pain is severe, you
may need a professional consult with a doc sooner rather than later.

Many medical diagnosticians will send you to an orthopedic specialist, suggest an MRI
or a cat scan or, perhaps, all three early on. Some will recommend cortisone shots as
a steroidal approach to try to calm the pain. If the back pain is not too severe, doctors
will offer drugs, either prescription or over-the-counter, taking the least invasive
path first to diminish the pain and get you some return of comfort and well-being.

Physical therapy with the use of sonar treatment and massage is also a possibility that
can soothe especially neck, shoulder and low back pain in some cases. Often people will
self-treat with massage therapy or going to a chiropractor, and that works for some.

Today more and more people feel, while some of the above may be needed in severe
cases, there are other approaches.

Exercises, which your doctor, or perhaps a physical therapist, recommends,can make an
enormous difference if done faithfully and usually on a daily basis.

As pointed out in many of the articles and Google ads in this blog, you can also get many
products on the market today that can be life altering for back pain sufferers. Some of
these have been and will be discussed again, such as a visco-elastic mattress and/or
pillows to help with both low back pain and neck and shoulder problems.

Massage chairs sometimes give people immediate relief from knots, painful spasms and
tight muscles. Also, inversion tables and therapy have been known to offer very fast
relief from a variety of back and neck problems, even rotator cuff pain.

Arthritis sufferers can also benefit from all of the exercise and ergonomic products mentioned. Especially if you sit at a computer keyboard for extended periolds, these products and a really good office/computer chair can make a world of difference.

Please consider all of these alternatives, try to relax a bit, and decide what can make your
back be better and get on the road to winning the back pain battle.

This photo is Lake Louise in Banff Park
in the province of Alberta in Canada.


A Note on Photos

For all who asked about getting photos,
I use free ones from yotophoto, they're
great and then I use

google free pic organizer

PICASA...... you can get that free

by clicking on the link at bottom
of this blog.

good luck to all dave

and don't miss two blogs that will
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http://assertivenesssucceeds.blogspot.com
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--
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BACK BE BETTER

Back, neck and shoulder pain relief with advice,
products and exercises that help in relieving back pain,
sciatica, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms and strains and stress

This blog has serious advice

that can help your back, neck

and shoulders feel better through

exercises and information as to how

to handle and prevent pain.

Lifting Procedures For Reducing Or Preventing Back Pain

by: Michael Colucci

Many people don't realize the importance of lifting objects properly in order to avoid hurting their backs. One of the leading causes of back injuries are due to people lifting heavy objects improperly. In this article I will go over the proper procedures for lifting heavy objects in order to avoid back pain.

Lifting things doesn't have to be hazardous, whether you're at home or at work. Many people put lots of stress on their backs on a regular basis, especially those who have jobs in warehouses or delivery companies. Even those who don't spend lots of time lifting heavy objects can make their backs prone to injury over time even if they lift small objects if they do it improperly.

There are two primary mistakes that many people make when lifting objects. The first mistake is using the wrong muscles to lift up objects. You're supposed to use the muscles in your legs and buttocks instead of the muscles in your back.

It is always important to bend your knees when lifting an object off the floor. This gives your spine a level foundation and avoids putting too much stress on it. It is important to keep your upper body vertical when lifting instead of horizontal. Having your upper body horizontal will put a lot of stress on your lower back. This pressure could be hundreds of pounds, and eventually you'll suffer a slipped disc or sprain.

The second mistake people often make is lifting an object too far from their bodies. It is important to be as close as possible to whatever you're lifting. By holding the object close to you, the amount of pressure exerted on your spine is reduced.

You want to hold the object by its center and keep it eight inches away from you when you lift. Keep your upper body vertical and use the muscles in your knees and buttocks in order to lift it. By doing this you avoid damaging you back. You also want to avoid twisting your upper body when you left objects as this can add pressure to your spine as well.

Lifting objects properly in order to avoid back pain is important. If you lift a ten pound object at arms length, you are putting at least one hundred and fifty pounds of pressure on your lower back. If you hold an eighty eight pound object at arms length, a massive seven hundred pounds is being exerted on your back.

BACK BE BETTER

Back, neck and shoulder pain relief with advice,
products and exercises that help in relieving back pain,
sciatica, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms and strains and stress

This blog has serious advice

that can help your back, neck

and shoulders feel better through

exercises and information as to how

to handle and prevent pain.

LUMBAR EXTENDER COULD BE BEST STRETCH



Can a simple back stretching tool that was designed to make your life less stressful and more enjoyable really lead you to better back health?

The Lumbar Extender back stretcher is a convenient and easy-to-use treatment and preventative care product. It is availble for purchase in many stores around the U.S., likely in some other countries as well, and it can possibly be found on the internet.

Stretching at least once a day allows many to have a better back and feel free of stress and tension throughout the back and body. Athletes are well known for stretching regimines before working out or competing. Now here's a tool to help you stretch your back.

Use the Lumbar Extender to relieve muscle tension and to enhance your overall well-being. Incorporate it into your daily routine to achieve maximum results. Consistency is the key with stretching, as with almost all exercise.

You must be regular and dedicated, but the results will make you so happy that you followed a regular routine. Remember: The Lumbar Extender can be used anytime.

Users find it most beneficial when they use it just prior to or immediately after any prolonged activity or inactivity.

Try the Lumbar Extender back stretcher in the middle of the day to rejuvenate and energize yourself. Rejuvenating and energizing your back and body are keys to having a better back.

Do yourself and your back a big favor: stretch.

BACK BE BETTER

Back, neck and shoulder pain relief with advice,
products and exercises that help in relieving back pain,
sciatica, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms and strains and stress

This blog has serious advice

that can help your back, neck

and shoulders feel better through

exercises and information as to how

to handle and prevent pain.

BACK PAIN RELIEF WITH YOGA

BY: RAV DAVIS

A good, regular yoga practice will go far in relieving the stress and tension that sometimes cause mild back pain, and in fact, studies have shown that yoga is the number one most effective exercise for relieving back pain.

However, not all yoga poses relieve back pain, and some can in fact aggravate existing pain, so it is important to know which poses will be most helpful in relieving back pain.

It is best to do these exercises under the supervision of a certified yoga instructor, and if you encounter any problems with these poses, you should consult an expert.

Even just one or two sessions with a yoga instructor can help, an instructor will help you with your form and posture during poses. Here are some of the best yoga poses for relieving back pain. Each pose should be held from five to ten seconds, depending upon your level of comfort, and should be done on a mat or other soft, supportive surface.

CAT STRETCH: Start out on your hands and knees with a flat back.

Your hands should be directly under your shoulders with fingers spread. Knees should be directly under the hips. Head is held loosely so that you are looking at the floor between your hands. Inhale, and as you exhale, arch your back toward the ceiling, tuck your chin in to your chest so that you are looking at your navel, and tuck your tailbone underneath. Hold, then release back into your original position.

WIND RELEASING POLE: Lie flat on your back as in Corpse pose.

As you inhale, bend your knee, place your hands right below the knee, and draw your leg towards your chest. Your left leg should remain flat on the floor. Exhale and bring your forehead up to touch your knee. Inhale, and then as you exhale, return to your original position. Repeat with the other leg.

SAGE TWIST: Warning for this pose—it involves twisting your back, so you should take particular care not to twist too far or you risk aggravating any existing back pain.

This should be a gentle stretch; twist just as far as is comfortable.

• Sit on the floor with both legs out in front of you.
  
• Bend your right knee, lift your right leg over your left, and place your right foot on the floor next to your left knee.
  
• Sitting with spine straight, place your left elbow on the right side of your right knee.
  
• Bend your left arm so that your left fingertips are touching your right hip, while at the same time, twisting to look over your right shoulder.

This is where you need to be careful not to twist too far. Hold for a few seconds, release, and repeat on the opposite side.

PALM TREE: Stand with feet facing forward, arms at your sides, weight distributed evenly on both feet.

Raise both arms over your head, interlock your fingers, and turn your hands so that your palms are facing upward. Next, place your palms on your head and turn your head so that you are looking slightly upward. Stretch your arms upwards, and at the same time, come up onto your toes if you can do so without pain. Stretch your entire body upward and hold, if you can. Some people have difficulty balancing during this pose, so just do the stretching parts if you need to.

FISH POSE: Lie on your back with knees bent and arms at your side.

Arch your back as far as you comfortably can and raise it off the ground by pushing the floor with your elbows. If you can, tilt your head backwards and rest the crown of your head on the floor. Breathe deeply from the diaphragm and hold pose for one minute if you can.

LOCUST: Lie face down with arms at the side, palms down, and elbows slightly bent with fingers pointing towards the feet.

Raise your legs and thighs as high off the ground as possible without causing your back any pain. Hold for one second and repeat up to twelve times. This can be a vigorous exercise so you must take care to strain already injured muscles.

BACK BE BETTER

Back, neck and shoulder pain relief with advice,
products and exercises that help in relieving back pain,
sciatica, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms and strains and stress

This blog has serious advice

that can help your back, neck

and shoulders feel better through

exercises and information as to how

to handle and prevent pain.

Living With Chronic Low Back Pain

by: Robert Gould

They tell me my diagnosis is pretty common, that millions of Americans
suffer with low back pain. I've also heard that next to the common
cold, missing work from low back pain is the biggest reason. With these
two major known facts, I then wondered why getting the correct
treatment for low back pain is so difficult.

After being diagnosed with a herniated disc and bone disc degenerative
disease, I was immediately scheduled to see a surgeon. The surgeon
suggested I have back surgery. To make a long story short, after a lot
of prayer, a lot of thought, and after talking to many people who
already have had surgery with my same diagnosis, I chose against
surgery.

After deciding against surgery, I found I was immediately cast in a
different light, by my doctor, and the medical community in general. I
found my pain was then not taken seriously. I felt disbelieving about
how much I hurt. I actually felt like a drug addict when asking for
something for the pain. It appeared my physician felt back surgery was
the end all cure all to my back & leg pain.

To the contrary studies have shown, back surgery may actually cause
more pain, complications, and even damage that requires more follow up
surgery. Knowing physicians and surgeons are already aware of this, it
really makes you wonder why they would put you at such risk. I wish
some of these healthcare professionals would just once switch places
with me for one day living with chronic low back pain.

As a chronic pain sufferer, I'm dedicated to helping other chronic
pain sufferers who suffer from pain in any manner.

BACK BE BETTER

Back, neck and shoulder pain relief with advice,
products and exercises that help in relieving back pain,
sciatica, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms and strains and stress

This blog has serious advice

that can help your back, neck

and shoulders feel better through

exercises and information as to how

to handle and prevent pain.

Note: you can click also on the photo above
and all the photos
in my blogs to enlarge the image.



Get the Kinks Out of Your Back

by: Wayne McDonald

After a long hard day at the office, wouldn't it be nice to get a massage. Unfortunately you have to find a certified or licensed massage therapist. If you're lucky and happen to know someone or have a regular therapist you work with, you still have to schedule an appointment. After you call and set the time, you'll have to get back into your car and drive to therapist's office.

In today's world most of us want instant gratification and have limited time in our hectic life. If money was no object most of us would get a massage every week, or possibly two or three times a week.

Let me pause here for a moment. It is ironic that I would be writing an article about massage recliners, because I am a certified massage therapist. As a therapist my first goal is to help the client get healthy. Sometimes, I refer a client to a chiropractor or to an acupuncturist that can better serve the clients needs. With new technology massage recliners have advanced beyond clunky massage rollers to high tech massagers that can emulate the human touch.

There are many health benefits from a massage from a trained therapist or a massage recliner. A trained massage therapist knows how to get the kinks out of your back and relieve the muscle tension from everyday stress. Massage recliners have superior technology and do more than rub your back. New models from Human Touch, iJoy, Panasonic and Sanyo can also massage the legs, feet, arms and shoulders.

Health Benefits of Massage

* Improves lymphatic flow. The act of massaging and kneading the muscles increases blood flow. Health benefits are better circulation and absorption of nutritional elements into the muscles and tissues. In addition, kneading the muscles helps clear out toxins out of the muscles.

* Decreases muscle tension and improves flexibility. Body tension and stress causes the muscles to tighten and shorten. Health benefits include loosening tight muscles and restoring range and flexibility.

* Massage therapy produces the 'feel good chemical', the same endorphins that are increased after working out at the gym. This 'feel good chemical' helps speed recovery, reduces pain and reduces anxiety.

Another benefit seldom discussed is clearer thinking. When you are out of body pain and the range of motion is restored to your neck, your mind can better concentrate on your everyday tasks.

Rates for a massage therapist can range from $40 to $100 depending on the therapist's level of training and the city location. Massage recliners can cost thousands of dollars. But over time, a massage recliner can pay for itself and provide many health benefits. Considerations of cost savings are other family members using the massage recliner.

Another benefit of a massage recliner is it is a recliner chair. Anybody who has ever sat in a recliner knows how comfortable it is. Even if you do not activate the features of the massage recliner, the recliner itself has health benefits. The simple act of just sitting in a comfortable chair relaxes your body and eases body tension.

It's your choice. Buy a massage recliner or call a massage therapist. Either one that you choose will have many health benefits. To make your buying decision easy, I'd suggest scheduling two or three appointments with a certified or licensed massage therapist. Then try several brands and models of massage recliners to compare results.

BACK BE BETTER

Back, neck and shoulder pain relief with advice,
products and exercises that help in relieving back pain,
sciatica, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms and strains and stress

This blog has serious advice

that can help your back, neck

and shoulders feel better through

exercises and information as to how

to handle and prevent pain.

Non-Surgical Treatments For Back Pain

by: Ron King

If you suffer from severe back pain and fear that surgery may be necessary, or if surgery has been recommended and you question the wisdom of it, you may want to try some non-surgical physical treatments first.

Unless your back pain is due to an infection, malformation of the back, or tumor, some type of physical treatment can probably help it. Let's look at a few of the more popular and effective types of treatment.

Chiropractic Therapy

• Chiropractic treatment has been shown to be most effective when applied within 2 months of the onset of back pain. Chiropractors realign the spine, increase the range of motion in back muscles, increase the flexibility of spinal soft tissue, break down scar tissue, and reduce pressure from constricted and misaligned spinal joints, all of which help to relieve pain. Usually treatment takes around 15 minutes 3 times a week at first. Over a few weeks sessions decrease until you are on a maintenance program of once a month or even "come come only if it hurts."

Acupuncture

Studies by the National Institutes of Health show that acupuncture is very effective in treating back pain. According to the theory of acupuncture, energy (known as chi) flows through the body along pathways called meridians. If the flow of chi is interrupted, pain or illness can result.

• An acupuncturist uses very thin needles inserted into the skin along the meridians to correct the flow of chi. You may be surprised to learn that acupuncture is rarely described as painful. In fact, many people find it relaxing and even fall asleep during treatment.

Physical Therapy

A good physical therapist will combine passive and active treatments, since exercise is essential to the long term imporvement in back pain.

Active therapy involves the patient's participation. The therapist will determine which exercises are best for a particular condition, and supervise you in those exercises to ensure that you are doing them correctly. They will include:

* stretching
* strength building exercises
* aerobic exercise.

Passive therapy is done on you, usually while you are relaxing, and includes:

* heat or cold therapy
* electrical stimulation
* ultrasound
* massage
* iontophoresis (inserting a drug through intact skin using an electric current).

• Other Alternatives to Surgery
• In addition to these 3 modalities, many other non-surgical treatments exist for back pain, among them massage, and the use of herbs and natural supplements.

---------------------------

Would you like your future to include
more friends, more dates, maybe someone
special in your life?

Consider that more self-esteem is often
the fast track to making new friends and
having a more active, happier life.


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about self-esteem and how it relates
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