Fibromyalgia is a whole-body pain syndrome that is believed to be closely related to arthritis. Many sufferers have benefited from chiropractic techniques to ease their discomfort and get a good night's sleep.
Other types of treatments involving various medications, vitamins, supplements, even gentle exercise, all address specific symptoms. However, they might include untested substances, cause side effects or even run afoul of the law, such as the use of controlled substances for fibromyalgia pain management. None of them address the patient as a whole person the way that chiropracty does.
Sometimes confused with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia is a distinct collection of symptoms resulting from muscles that clench around joints, resulting in chronic pain. Over time, this pain then causes sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, even a state of confusion sometimes referred to as "fibo fog." Chiropractic, which means "done by hand," is a practice that involves more than "cracking" bones. Its practitioners examine their patients' chemical, mental and structural health from a holistic point of view; thus addressing the entire syndrome, not just one symptom at a time.
A key byword in chiropracty is balance. The skilled practitioner will strive to achieve overall balanced energy flow through total body alignment, or spinal adjustment. The goal is to achieve unimpeded blood and energy flow and to insure that all parts are working in harmony. This also helps loosen the muscles' tight grip on joints. A helpful metaphor to understand this process is to think of getting your car's frame aligned for smooth driving and equal tire wear.
Another technique is ischemic compression to relieve trigger points of pain. A thumb or finger is pressed firmly on a sore spot. This causes a temporary blood blockage, which when it is relieved, causes increased circulation to wash away waste products and supply more oxygen for tissue healing. This could be likened to closing and opening the gates on a dam to regulate water flow.
Another treatment is applied kinesiology. Its supporters use muscle testing techniques that they say let's them hear what the body needs at that moment and then provide it. Since fibromyalgia impairs the smooth functioning of the body, mind and spirit, this focused listening leads to suggestions for nutritional, physical and spiritual remedies.
Chiropractic techniques are not quick fixes, except for an immediate feeling of relief as the patient's tight muscles are relaxed. Research has shown that after a course of treatment over a couple of months there is meaningful lessening of pain and fatigue, and much better sleep. One caution is that older individuals may not respond as well.
Theories about the causes of fibromyalgia all seem to indicate that there is a malfunction in the way that a sufferer's body processes pain signals. Whatever the underlying cause, a visit to the chiropractor can help.
Stephen Daniels is an acclaimed http://netbiz.com researcher. If you are looking for a chiropractor in the Chicago area, he recommends http://www.chiropracticcareltd.com. Their practitioners are experienced working with fibromyalgia patients through chiropracty, acupuncture and massage.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Migraine Symptoms: It Could Be Down to a Simple Food Intolerance!
Doctors know very little about migraine headaches except that they run in families, and may be caused by many conditions ranging from nervous excitement, disturbed sleep patterns, stress and reactions to certain foods, such as cheese or chocolate. These headaches can last hours, sometimes days, and often come with nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to sound and light, and, perhaps most strangely of all, distorted sensory perception, especially vision. If you add together the range of different symptoms and so many different potential triggers, it is no surprise that researchers are perplexed about the science behind these headaches, or that sufferers seem to find treatments so hit-and-miss.
An estimated 12.5% of people in the UK suffer with migraines meaning that roughly 7 million people in just the UK alone. It is estimated that migraine costs businesses an estimated 1bn pounds every year as a result of lost productivity with the average migraineur missing between 1.5 and 4.5 days from work annually.
In many people migraines are triggered by reactions to foods. Clinical studies have shown that management of the diet can reduce the severity and, or, frequency of headaches or even stop them. The problem with attempting any dietary modification is that first you need to know what to change. Currently the best accepted method for confirming food sensitivities is by elimination diet. This involves eating a restricted diet for several weeks. If there is no reduction in the frequency or intensity of the attacks during this time, it is assumed that the food type that has been restricted is not the problem and the process is repeated with another food type. This method is very time consuming, and because it is impossible to test all the different combinations of food types that may be causing the problems, it is a very ineffective process.
Thankfully, help is at hand with a simple testing service that identifies the trigger foods responsible for food intolerances. This scientific approach, which can be used to identify the different food types involved for each individual, is a blood test that measures food-specific IgG antibodies. Your body is unique and doesn't lie, either you have antibody reactions to certain food combinations or you don't, and the best way to find out is by carrying out a test. You then get an accurate reading of exactly what foods your body is reacting against so that you know what to avoid.
The test is backed by hard evidence; new findings from York University and York Test, who surveyed 514 migraine and headache sufferers, showed that 81% benefited in terms of the frequency and severity of their attacks if they removed the foods from their diet that showed a positive reaction. The fact that people saw a return of their migraine and, or, headache symptoms on reintroduction of the foods identified by the food-specific IgG test supports the fact that this is an active and specific approach. The test used in the study is the York Test foodSCAN, it only requires a few drops of blood from a finger prick that can be collected in the comfort of your own home.
These latest findings are further confirmation of the direct link between certain health complaints and diet. The test that was used for the survey is the only one of its kind endorsed by the charity Allergy UK and York Test has 25 years of experience in the food intolerance testing market. So for those suffering from headaches and migraines, fortunately there's new food for thought in your quest to rid yourself of this burden!
Dr. Gillian Hart is a Scientific Director for York Test Laboratories Ltd. York Test specialist in allergy and food intolerance testing. For more information visit http://www.yorktest.com or call 0800 074 6185.
An estimated 12.5% of people in the UK suffer with migraines meaning that roughly 7 million people in just the UK alone. It is estimated that migraine costs businesses an estimated 1bn pounds every year as a result of lost productivity with the average migraineur missing between 1.5 and 4.5 days from work annually.
In many people migraines are triggered by reactions to foods. Clinical studies have shown that management of the diet can reduce the severity and, or, frequency of headaches or even stop them. The problem with attempting any dietary modification is that first you need to know what to change. Currently the best accepted method for confirming food sensitivities is by elimination diet. This involves eating a restricted diet for several weeks. If there is no reduction in the frequency or intensity of the attacks during this time, it is assumed that the food type that has been restricted is not the problem and the process is repeated with another food type. This method is very time consuming, and because it is impossible to test all the different combinations of food types that may be causing the problems, it is a very ineffective process.
Thankfully, help is at hand with a simple testing service that identifies the trigger foods responsible for food intolerances. This scientific approach, which can be used to identify the different food types involved for each individual, is a blood test that measures food-specific IgG antibodies. Your body is unique and doesn't lie, either you have antibody reactions to certain food combinations or you don't, and the best way to find out is by carrying out a test. You then get an accurate reading of exactly what foods your body is reacting against so that you know what to avoid.
The test is backed by hard evidence; new findings from York University and York Test, who surveyed 514 migraine and headache sufferers, showed that 81% benefited in terms of the frequency and severity of their attacks if they removed the foods from their diet that showed a positive reaction. The fact that people saw a return of their migraine and, or, headache symptoms on reintroduction of the foods identified by the food-specific IgG test supports the fact that this is an active and specific approach. The test used in the study is the York Test foodSCAN, it only requires a few drops of blood from a finger prick that can be collected in the comfort of your own home.
These latest findings are further confirmation of the direct link between certain health complaints and diet. The test that was used for the survey is the only one of its kind endorsed by the charity Allergy UK and York Test has 25 years of experience in the food intolerance testing market. So for those suffering from headaches and migraines, fortunately there's new food for thought in your quest to rid yourself of this burden!
Dr. Gillian Hart is a Scientific Director for York Test Laboratories Ltd. York Test specialist in allergy and food intolerance testing. For more information visit http://www.yorktest.com or call 0800 074 6185.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Antioxidants Help Arteries Stay Healthy in People at Risk for Heart Disease
In a new study from Israel it was shown that the increased ingestion of "antioxidant" supplements on a long term basis helped multiple cardiovascular ailments. This is great news but what are antioxidants and what exactly do they do?
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation reactions can produce "free radicals" which in turn can start chain reactions which can damage cells. It is thought that these damaged cells could become cancerous or lead to coronary heart disease among other ailments. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions helping to keep cell healthy and possibly preventing serious health issues.
This study, which was conducted by a team from Wolfson Medical Center, used 70 high blood pressure patients and divided them into 2 groups. Study was conducted over 6 months with testing done at the beginning, at 3 months and then at 6 months. The first groups was given placebo's and the second was given of regimen of vitamin C (1000 mg/day), vitamin E (400 i.u/day), coenzyme Q10 (120 mg/day) and selenium (200 mcg/day) on a daily basis. The patients in the antioxidant group had marked improvement in their cardiovascular health including more elastic arteries, better blood sugar levels, "cholesterol profiles were healthier with a significant increase in HDL".
In a statement to the media "the findings of the present study justify investigating the overall clinical impact of antioxidant treatment in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors". In fact the results were so encouraging the researchers concluded "antioxidant supplements have the potential to alleviate atherosclerotic damage.." While far from being absolutely conclusion this study shows what many alternative health professionals have known for a long time, that antioxidants are excellent for cardiovascular health and wonderful healing properties. We need more studies like this so we have a body of work to help convince the masses that this is real.
Patrick Hayes is the owner of Kelatox Products. He has been an outspoken advocate of proper nutrition, detoxification and exercise for a long time.For more information about Kelatox and chelation therapy, visit us at www.ChelationHealthProducts.com
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation reactions can produce "free radicals" which in turn can start chain reactions which can damage cells. It is thought that these damaged cells could become cancerous or lead to coronary heart disease among other ailments. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions helping to keep cell healthy and possibly preventing serious health issues.
This study, which was conducted by a team from Wolfson Medical Center, used 70 high blood pressure patients and divided them into 2 groups. Study was conducted over 6 months with testing done at the beginning, at 3 months and then at 6 months. The first groups was given placebo's and the second was given of regimen of vitamin C (1000 mg/day), vitamin E (400 i.u/day), coenzyme Q10 (120 mg/day) and selenium (200 mcg/day) on a daily basis. The patients in the antioxidant group had marked improvement in their cardiovascular health including more elastic arteries, better blood sugar levels, "cholesterol profiles were healthier with a significant increase in HDL".
In a statement to the media "the findings of the present study justify investigating the overall clinical impact of antioxidant treatment in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors". In fact the results were so encouraging the researchers concluded "antioxidant supplements have the potential to alleviate atherosclerotic damage.." While far from being absolutely conclusion this study shows what many alternative health professionals have known for a long time, that antioxidants are excellent for cardiovascular health and wonderful healing properties. We need more studies like this so we have a body of work to help convince the masses that this is real.
Patrick Hayes is the owner of Kelatox Products. He has been an outspoken advocate of proper nutrition, detoxification and exercise for a long time.For more information about Kelatox and chelation therapy, visit us at www.ChelationHealthProducts.com
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Improving Your Posture To Reduce Back Pain
There are a lot of people in the United States that are starting to have back problems. It seems like the number of Americans that are seeing a doctor about back problems has dramatically increased in recent years.
If you are starting to feel pain in your back you should take care of the problem as soon as possible. If you let the problem persist you may end up with a condition that is much worse than your original problem.
To avoid back pain you should make sure that you take care of your back on a regular basis. There are a lot of people that do not understand how important it is to strengthen, stretch and learn to properly use their back.
First, you want to make sure that you have good posture. Having good posture does not mean that when you are sitting down you make sure that your shoulders are back and your back is straight.
When you are working on your posture you want to concentrate on having your back in a comfortable and healthy position no matter what you are doing. When you are standing and even while you are sitting or doing household chores you should have good posture.
This can be especially hard when you are doing dishes or working on a counter that is shorter than you would like to have. When you take the time to concentrate on the way you are standing you will realize that there is room for improvement.
There are not a lot of people in our society that have had good posture emphasized as they were growing up. When you do not have the muscle memory for good posture it is easy to let yourself start to slip.
In the long run, establishing this muscle memory will be well worth the uncomfortable nature of the process. When you are trying to get yourself into this habit you will want to make sure that you have a professional tell you what good posture entails.
Even though you have your shoulders back you may not be sitting in a way that give you the most benefits. When you meet with your doctor you will want to ask him or her how you should be sitting.
After they show you try to stay in that position for the rest of your appointment. More than likely this will be difficult and it will be hard for you to have that kind of endurance.
You may even notice that you are sore after you have been trying to correct and chance muscle memory. Do not worry about being sore, it is a normal feeling that people will have after changing their posture.
If you are experiencing sharp pain or if you feel that you cannot sit correctly you should consult a doctor. There are a lot of people that need physical therapy to enable them to sit be able to sit in a way that is healthy and strengthening.
As you are trying to establish this new habit, you will want to start stretching daily. This will not only help you to have good posture but may alleviate a lot of the pain that you feel from the everyday pressures that your back endures.
When you are stretching your back you should make sure that you concentrate on your hamstrings. There are a lot of people that neglect to stretch their hamstrings and because of this they continue to feel pain in their lower back.
Sitting with your back straight against the wall and your legs straight out is a great way to start to stretch your lower back and hamstring area. Depending on how tight your muscles are you may have to start by just trying to sit straight against the wall.
There are a lot of people that are not able to fully extend their legs with their back straight when they first begin. If you find yourself in this category do not get discouraged, instead you should work at stretching and set some goals for yourself.
Taking the time to stretch may be inconvenient and at first you may not notice a big different. In the long run, you will be able to see how stretching took away a large portion of your pain.
When you are flexible you will also be able to avoid a lot of injuries that you would otherwise sustain if you were not flexible.
Tom Selwick has been involved with medicine for over 20 years. He specializes in spinal recovery medicine and recommends (http://www.utahspineanddisc.com) for your back needs.
If you are starting to feel pain in your back you should take care of the problem as soon as possible. If you let the problem persist you may end up with a condition that is much worse than your original problem.
To avoid back pain you should make sure that you take care of your back on a regular basis. There are a lot of people that do not understand how important it is to strengthen, stretch and learn to properly use their back.
First, you want to make sure that you have good posture. Having good posture does not mean that when you are sitting down you make sure that your shoulders are back and your back is straight.
When you are working on your posture you want to concentrate on having your back in a comfortable and healthy position no matter what you are doing. When you are standing and even while you are sitting or doing household chores you should have good posture.
This can be especially hard when you are doing dishes or working on a counter that is shorter than you would like to have. When you take the time to concentrate on the way you are standing you will realize that there is room for improvement.
There are not a lot of people in our society that have had good posture emphasized as they were growing up. When you do not have the muscle memory for good posture it is easy to let yourself start to slip.
In the long run, establishing this muscle memory will be well worth the uncomfortable nature of the process. When you are trying to get yourself into this habit you will want to make sure that you have a professional tell you what good posture entails.
Even though you have your shoulders back you may not be sitting in a way that give you the most benefits. When you meet with your doctor you will want to ask him or her how you should be sitting.
After they show you try to stay in that position for the rest of your appointment. More than likely this will be difficult and it will be hard for you to have that kind of endurance.
You may even notice that you are sore after you have been trying to correct and chance muscle memory. Do not worry about being sore, it is a normal feeling that people will have after changing their posture.
If you are experiencing sharp pain or if you feel that you cannot sit correctly you should consult a doctor. There are a lot of people that need physical therapy to enable them to sit be able to sit in a way that is healthy and strengthening.
As you are trying to establish this new habit, you will want to start stretching daily. This will not only help you to have good posture but may alleviate a lot of the pain that you feel from the everyday pressures that your back endures.
When you are stretching your back you should make sure that you concentrate on your hamstrings. There are a lot of people that neglect to stretch their hamstrings and because of this they continue to feel pain in their lower back.
Sitting with your back straight against the wall and your legs straight out is a great way to start to stretch your lower back and hamstring area. Depending on how tight your muscles are you may have to start by just trying to sit straight against the wall.
There are a lot of people that are not able to fully extend their legs with their back straight when they first begin. If you find yourself in this category do not get discouraged, instead you should work at stretching and set some goals for yourself.
Taking the time to stretch may be inconvenient and at first you may not notice a big different. In the long run, you will be able to see how stretching took away a large portion of your pain.
When you are flexible you will also be able to avoid a lot of injuries that you would otherwise sustain if you were not flexible.
Tom Selwick has been involved with medicine for over 20 years. He specializes in spinal recovery medicine and recommends (http://www.utahspineanddisc.com) for your back needs.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Prolotherapy for Pain Relief AND as a Potential Surgical Alternative
Also known as regenerative injection therapy, prolotherapy involves the introduction of chemical irritants near physiological trigger points. The thinking behind this form of naturopathic medicine makes sense: conditions leading to chronic and musculoskeletal pain can be counteracted with the strengthening of the connective tissue through artificial means.
Though prolotherapy is not yet a mainstream treatment method for pain sufferers, athletes in particular are looking to this form of naturopathic medicine when hoping to quickly overcome potentially season- or even career-ending injuries.
It is interesting to note that the substances used in prolotherapy vary widely, depending on the naturopathic medicine practitioner's treatment philosophy. For example, some swear by cod liver oil extract while others rely on dextrose to provide the healing benefit of the treatment. Still others are firm believers in platelet rich plasma, which involves taking the patient's own blood, spinning it and re-injecting it into the body at the affected area. No matter what substance is used for injection, the goal remains the same: artificially induce an irritation (or inflammation) that then causes the tissues to release growth-causing agents, which actually strengthen weakened areas by as much as 30 to 40 percent.
Prolotherapy is not a one-time treatment. Like many procedures involving naturopathic medicine, this process relies on repetition for maximum effect. Injections may be given every two weeks or once every six weeks, depending on the effect and the initial damage to the ligaments and joints. Practitioners keep a close eye on any resulting pain, swelling of the affected limb, increase (or decrease) in the range of motion, tenderness of the injection site and also tingling or burning sensations reported by the patient. Case studies show that this kind of treatment can be so effective that it may even take the place of invasive surgery or long-term drug therapy for chronic pain. Not surprisingly, patients are greatly interested in this form of help that can do away with serious bodily side effects and sometimes virtual incapacitation.
Unfortunately, prolotherapy has not yet received the blessing of the medical insurers and as such is being treated like most other procedures in naturopathic medicine: experimental. This places patients into precarious positions; receiving this treatment is costly but effective in a good many cases. If money is no object, then these injections may spell the difference between surgery with subsequent pain killers and simple injections. Of course, for most consumers the cost factor may be prohibitive, thus keeping the treatment - for now - reserved for athletes and sports greats, who do not have a tight rein on their wallet.
Stephen Daniels is an acclaimed http://www.seo-search-engine-optimization.netbiz.com researcher of best practices and services for many industries. For prolotherapy in Portland, OR he highly recommends http://www.naturalhw.com/prolotherapy.html for their specialization in holistic treatment.
Though prolotherapy is not yet a mainstream treatment method for pain sufferers, athletes in particular are looking to this form of naturopathic medicine when hoping to quickly overcome potentially season- or even career-ending injuries.
It is interesting to note that the substances used in prolotherapy vary widely, depending on the naturopathic medicine practitioner's treatment philosophy. For example, some swear by cod liver oil extract while others rely on dextrose to provide the healing benefit of the treatment. Still others are firm believers in platelet rich plasma, which involves taking the patient's own blood, spinning it and re-injecting it into the body at the affected area. No matter what substance is used for injection, the goal remains the same: artificially induce an irritation (or inflammation) that then causes the tissues to release growth-causing agents, which actually strengthen weakened areas by as much as 30 to 40 percent.
Prolotherapy is not a one-time treatment. Like many procedures involving naturopathic medicine, this process relies on repetition for maximum effect. Injections may be given every two weeks or once every six weeks, depending on the effect and the initial damage to the ligaments and joints. Practitioners keep a close eye on any resulting pain, swelling of the affected limb, increase (or decrease) in the range of motion, tenderness of the injection site and also tingling or burning sensations reported by the patient. Case studies show that this kind of treatment can be so effective that it may even take the place of invasive surgery or long-term drug therapy for chronic pain. Not surprisingly, patients are greatly interested in this form of help that can do away with serious bodily side effects and sometimes virtual incapacitation.
Unfortunately, prolotherapy has not yet received the blessing of the medical insurers and as such is being treated like most other procedures in naturopathic medicine: experimental. This places patients into precarious positions; receiving this treatment is costly but effective in a good many cases. If money is no object, then these injections may spell the difference between surgery with subsequent pain killers and simple injections. Of course, for most consumers the cost factor may be prohibitive, thus keeping the treatment - for now - reserved for athletes and sports greats, who do not have a tight rein on their wallet.
Stephen Daniels is an acclaimed http://www.seo-search-engine-optimization.netbiz.com researcher of best practices and services for many industries. For prolotherapy in Portland, OR he highly recommends http://www.naturalhw.com/prolotherapy.html for their specialization in holistic treatment.
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