Upper Back Pain Treatment

Upper back conditions are not as common as lower back conditions. When problems appear in the upper part of your back, it is usually more serious than a muscle strain or herniated disc. The upper portion of your back is different from the lower part of your back because instead of being flexible and mobile, the upper back is supposed to be strong and provide stability for the body.

This is the part of the body that gives us the strength to stand and walk. The upper part of your back is not very mobile and any bone breakdown is rare; having the strength to stand up protects the muscles and organs in the chest. Most upper back issues are a result of irritated muscles or joint dysfunction.

Mild forms of pain in the upper portion of your back can result from years of bad posture. As the technology age has taken off, more people who work at desks all day are complaining of upper back problems. Slouching in a desk puts great strain on our backs. As with any injury, upper back pain can also be the result of an accident or trauma, but the most common causes of pain stem from the muscles and joints.

Muscular irritation is caused by either the overuse of the muscles in the shoulder area or by a complete lack of use. Not using the muscles in the shoulders and upper back causes them to weaken, resulting in them not being able to support the body as well, causing a strain and pain. Overuse of the muscles is a common problem for athletes or someone with a job that requires repetitive motion affecting the back muscles.

The muscles will get overworked and irritated, causing swelling that results in a back pain that is sometimes very hard to treat. Physical therapists recommend gentle exercise and abundant stretching as the best way to relieve and treat upper back pain. Rest if the exercise becomes painful. Medication may help to bring down the swelling.
Joint dysfunctions focus on the area where the ribs attach to the upper spine.

These two joints are responsible for holding the ribs in place; if they are flawed in any way, upper back pain will result. In addition to pain medication and rest, treatments will include visiting a chiropractor and physical therapist. They will manually manipulate the joints to try and move the joint and relieve your pain.

Stretching is an essential part of recovery from any upper back pain. An exercise and stretching routine at home will help maintain overall back strength. Aerobic exercise is very important as it will help a patient lose or maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight, especially weight that sits in the stomach area, will pull the upper body forward, putting strain on the back muscles.

Upper back pain is usually more serious than lower back pain. If during pregnancy you experience pain in the upper part of your back, it is likely just a result of the additional weight. Rest and speak with a doctor if the pain is unbearable. Upper back pain is typically moderate to serious and requires consulting with a doctor.

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Exercising Your Spine and Back Safely While Pregnant

If you are pregnant, your back can hurt terribly. However, you can exercise your spine and your back safely so that you can find relief.

While it is not safe for a pregnant woman to begin a totally new exercise routine, it is perfectly safe and often necessary to utilize some new, low-intensity back exercises during pregnancy. The weight from the uterus pulls the lumbar spine forward, straining weak muscles in the middle, upper and lower back.

Strengthening the muscles that surround the spine with prenatal-safe exercises will lessen spinal discomfort and tightness. "Cats and Cows" are a set of yoga poses that will strengthen and stretch your back and abs.

Start in an all-fours position on an even, padded surface. If your wrists hurt or tingle because of carpal tunnel, this exercise can be done on your elbows and knees instead of your hands and knees.

Once you are on all-fours, begin to alternately arch and round your spine. Inhale as you lift your hips and look up at the ceiling while flexing your back (cow), and then exhale as you tuck your head and your tailbone under while flexing your abs (cat).

Imagine pushing your belly toward the floor, and then suck your stomach inward as you round your spine. This is also known as a pelvic tilt or pelvic rock, and this movement will move baby into the correct presentation for birth during the latter weeks of pregnancy.

Do anywhere from 5 to 15 repetitions (reps) as often as you like. This is a therapeutic exercise.

Alternating Half-Locust is also done on all-fours. Sometime during the thirteenth to seventeenth week of pregnancy, mom will no longer feel comfortable on her stomach because of the growing "baby bump."

This exercise is an excellent alternative to the Pilates exercises normally done on the tummy. Keep your back level and your abs gently pulled upward against your spine while you raise your right arm straight out in front of you and your left leg straight out behind you.

Keep your neck neutral, and don't raise your limbs any higher than your hips and shoulders. Think about length, not height.

Imagine you are being pulled in two opposite directions like the rope in a game of tug-of-war. Breathe out as you lift your limbs, tightening your abs; breathe in as you lower your limbs.

Start with four on each side (right arm, left leg ... left arm, right leg) and work up to 15 reps every other day.

The bent dumbbell row will strengthen both the upper and lower back. When lifting weights, it is especially crucial for pregnant women to breathe deeply.

Holding your breath is known as the "Valsava Maneuver," and it will raise your blood pressure. Unless you are accustomed to heavier weights, use small dumbbells, starting with one to five pounds in each hand.

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, feeling a sense of sturdiness. Soften the knees so they are just a little bent and not locked.

Lean forward, hinging at the hips, letting your arms hang down, sticking out your chest, and pulling your shoulder-blades together. You should look like you are ready to swing a golf club.

Breathe out as you lift your elbows up behind you, like you are rowing. Your wrists should graze your belly on both sides.

Inhale as you lower the dumbbells until your arms are straight again. Focus on the image of squishing a ripe banana between your shoulder blades, because that is where you want to feel this exercise.

The shoulder bridge is done on your back with your feet flat on the ground. Press your arms gently into the floor, palms down at your sides, while you lift your hips as high into the air as you can.

You can do simple up-and-down motions, you can pulse your hips at the top for a few counts, and you could also try balancing on just one foot. Squeeze a few Kegels in, too, by pinching a piece of paper between your knees while your hips are lifted.

With these exercises you can ensure that your back will stay strong and feeling well. Start today!

Ronald Pedactor 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.

Using Yoga to Fix Back and Joint Issues

When you suffer from chronic back or joint pain, it is hard to find any type of exercise that does not put you through stress. Even cardiovascular workouts can aggravate these physical issues.

Things like running and weight training can only increase the pain you feel in your joints and back or spine. However, there are options for you to stay in fit and get exercise without damaging your body or causing anguish.

If you are unsure about how to get cardio without running, you could try other options. Running is a great choice for anyone worried about pain.

The weightlessness that you feel in the water will help your body to avoid strain or pressure. You could also try making use of biking, if you happen to have troublesome areas in your legs.

Back pain can be caused by a number of different things. If you have pulled or strained the muscles in this region, it is important to follow a treatment plan; usually the best way to heal is to mix resting and relaxation with strengthening.

If this is a problem area for you, you may be noticing issues with your sacrum. This is a triangular grouping of bone at the base of the spine that sits between the hip bones.

Inflammation or discomfort in this region can be cause by too much sitting, overarching the lower back, working it too much, or simply from stress. In order to reduce the inflammation, you must find ways to relax the sacrum and stabilize it.

Joints are another thing that can get in the way of your ability to run, lift weights, or take part in aerobic activity. When these are worn down, your limbs do not move as quickly and easily as they may have before.

Find workouts that do not put stress or strain on your body. You can also make use of supplements, like glucosamine chondroitin, that repair these areas and make them more mobile.

One of the best workout options for an individual that experiences pressure or discomfort in the lower back is yoga. This is a very calm and static type of exercise.

The main focus is on relaxation and stretching your limbs and muscles. Yoga is performed by holding specific poses and breathing regularly.

The stretches make muscles more elastic and make the body looser. This method of exercise has been around for thousands of years, and began in India as a way to relax and free the mind spiritually.

It has since been adapted into a soothing and rejuvenating fitness regime. A typical yoga class or workout consists of a series of stretches and poses being held to optimize flexibility of the limbs, joints, and muscles and to calm the body.

Most gyms, especially ones that specialize in yoga, offer different classes for different levels of experience and health. Try to find one that is for individuals who are recovering from injuries or have chronic inflammation in areas of the body.

Not only will this workout give you more flexibility and strength, it will definitely assist you in losing calories. Very often, lower back issues are caused because someone is overweight.

If you are carrying extra pounds, you may need to lose the weight in order to feel better. The stretching aspect of yoga also assists the muscles in healing and regenerating.

Stress relief is one major draw of the exercise; its main focus is to make the body work with the mind is calm and unfocused. If you are hoping to find a way to lose weight and workout without harming yourself more, this is a great option to look into.

Of course, it is wise to consult your chiropractor, personal trainer, or physical therapist before you begin any type of constant regimen. They may be more aware of your ability level and will be able to tell you what you can and cannot do.

Medical professionals and those that specialize in spinal and back issues will be able to offer you advice on how to properly care for these injuries. If you are feeling lost and do not know how to stay fit and healthy without damaging your back, find new and interesting ways to get a workout; the more creative you are with your body and resources, the easier it will be to stay in shape.

Ronald Pedactor 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.

Treating Spinal Arthritis

Individuals who are at higher risk for developing spinal arthritis include older patients, obese individuals, heavy laborers, and individuals with previous back injuries.

This disease is a problem that occurs in the joints that connect each spinal segment, or vertebrae. The vertebrae are connected in three places.

In front of the spinal cord, the vertebrae are separated by a cushion-like spinal disc. Behind the spinal cord, the vertebrae are connected by two small pivots called facet joints.

These facet joints, together with the spinal disc, allow movements of the spine including forward bending, arching your back, or sideways twisting. When the facet joints become arthritic, these back movements become painful and stiff.

Lumbar spine arthritis often is seen together with other back conditions like disc degeneration and spinal stenosis. As the facet joints wear out in arthritic conditions of the spine, the disc can also wear out over time, causing disc degeneration.

Facet arthritis often proceeds along with disc disease of the spine. Spinal stenosis is also often seen in individuals with lumbar spine arthritis.

As the disease progresses, nerves become pinched, leading to symptoms of spinal stenosis. These symptoms may include leg pain, numbness, tingling, and difficulty walking.

Arthritis of the lumbar spine most often causes stiffness and pain of the low back. Individuals often notice their back is especially stiff in the early morning after getting out of bed, and may loosen over the course of the day.

Symptoms also often become worse with prolonged or strenuous activity. When the disease worsens, the joints form bone spurs, the tissue swells from inflammation, and the nerves around these can become pinched.

This is a condition called spinal stenosis, which is often seen in patients with lumbar arthritis. These individuals often experience the common symptoms of spinal stenosis.

Treatment of spine arthritis depends on the symptoms experienced by the patient. Treatments always begin with simple measures and become more involved if patients don't find relief with these simple steps.

One of the treatments available for this disease is physical therapy. Physical therapy is used to strengthen the muscles of the lumbar spine.

By better supporting the spine with stronger muscles, less of the burden is placed on the facet joints. Even in patients who are fit and active, muscles around the spine can be further strengthened to alleviate symptoms.

Losing weight is a difficult task in patients who have worn-out bones. However, losing even a small amount of weight is often a sufficient step to relieving pain.

By removing even 10 pounds or more, the facet joints will support less of a load, and pain may be sufficiently relieved. Anti-inflammatory medications can decrease the amount of inflammation around the arthritic joints.

By lowering the inflammatory response, pain is often alleviated. Always use anti-inflammatory medications under your doctor's supervision.

Ice and heat applications can be very effective at relieving pain in the back. Patients usually find that heat is most effective before activity to "loosen" the spine, and ice is best used after any strenuous activities.

Chiropractors treat spine alignment, often with a process called manipulation. These treatments do not alter the back alignment, but they can provide excellent relief of pain.

Often the relief is temporary, but chiropractic treatments are a reasonable treatment to consider during a flare-up of lumbar arthritis. Alternative treatments include acupuncture, massage, magnet therapy, natural remedies, and others.

There is no doubt that many patients find significant relief from these types of treatments. While the scientific studies are lacking to support these treatments, most have few side-effects and are reasonable treatments to attempt.

Epidural injections are a way to administer a steroid shot around the area of the problem. Using a needle allows the medication to be delivered right to the area of the problem.

In patients with arthritis of a single facet joint, an even more precise injection, called a selective facet joint injection, can be performed. When all other treatments fail to provide relief of symptoms, a spine fusion may be a reasonable option for the treatment of severe facet arthritis.

Ronald Pedactor 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.

Homeopathic Migraine Relief

Homeopathy involves the use of non-toxic medicine for the treatment of illnesses. Several remedies used for homeopathic migraine relief, are available from pharmacies or health food stores. These medicines have been found to be very beneficial, especially at the onset of an attack. If you are able to identify the particular symptoms of your migraine headache; e.g. whether they are worse in the mornings or afternoons, then you are in a better position to determine which treatment would be best for you.

There are a number of homeopathic migraine relief remedies available, and they are generally safe. However, because each person's pain and makeup differs, then a remedy that benefits one person might not be helpful to another. It is for this reason, that you should identify the peculiar symptoms of your migraine headache. You can then opt for a treatment that relates to those signs. If after using the medicine for a reasonable period of time there is no improvement, then discontinue using it, and seek an alternative remedy.

Some common homeopathic remedies include:

Natrum Muriaticum

This is normally recommended for migraines that occur on the right side of the head. In addition, these headaches tend to be aggravated by one or several other factors such as exposure to the sun, and emotional upset. They also tend to be worse in the morning, and the pain is likened to a constant pounding in the head. Other symptoms include watery eyes, and tingling in the lips and face.

Byronia

This is useful if you are having a severe headache with starts near the eyes and then spreads to the entire head. Any movement of the eyes or head, tends to worsen the condition, and persons also complain of experiencing excessive thirst. Nausea and vomiting can also occur.

Belladonna

Useful for the relief of migraine headaches that originate at the back of the skull or upper neck. The pain can also spread to the forehead and temple. The attacks are more common in the afternoon, and are associated with very intense shooting pains in the head. Other symptoms include drowsiness, sensitivity to light and cold hands and feet.

Nux Vomica

This is normally used for migraines that result from stress and mental strain. The headaches usually occur in the mornings and start over one eye, usually the left. The headaches are accompanied by gastric problems such as constipation, or a bloated abdomen.

Sepia

Normally recommended for migraines that occur on the left side of the head. These are usually the result of skipping meals. They become more acute close to the menstrual period and during menopause. The pain associated with these headaches has been described as being similar to shocks. Persons normally become irritable and feel fatigued.

The use of homeopathic migraine relief remedies has become very common, as people seek alternatives to prescription drugs for treating migraines. It should be noted that the medicine works best when matched with the specific symptoms that you have. Particular attention should also be paid to the dosage, as this can vary according to the individual and the condition. As long as care is taken, homeopathic medicine can be very effective for the treatment of migraine headaches.

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