Relief for Aching Backs
Posted on September 16th, 2009
Relief for aching backs
Hands-on therapies were top-rated by 14,000 consumers
About 80 percent of U.S. adults have at some point been bothered by back pain. The Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center recently surveyed more than 14,000 subscribers who had lower-back pain in the past year but had never had back surgery. More than half said pain severely limited their daily routine for a week or longer, and 88 percent said it recurred through the year. Many said the pain interfered with sleep, sex, and efforts to maintain a healthy weight.
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photo is from photobucket.com
Back pain can be tough to treat. Most of our respondents tried five or six different treatments. They rated the helpfulness of the treatments tried and their satisfaction with the health-care professionals visited.
Hands-on therapies were among the top-rated. Fifty-eight percent of those who tried chiropractic manipulation said it helped a lot, and 59 percent were “completely” or “very” satisfied with their chiropractor. Massage and physical therapy were close runners-up.
Many of those who tried spinal injections found them to be very helpful, although the techniques their doctors used varied. Most respondents had used some type of medication. Forty-five percent of those who took prescription drugs said they helped a lot, double the percentage of those who said they were helped by over-the-counter medications.
Where to go for treatment
“Everyone seems to be selling some kind of gimmick, treatment, or pill for low-back pain,” says neurologist Scott Haldeman, M.D., who co-edited the January/February 2008 issue of The Spine Journal, which reviewed ways of treating low-back pain. But when treatments abound, it’s usually because there’s no clear winner.
A visit to a primary-care doctor is a smart first step when back pain is severe. A doctor can help rule out disease, such as infection or cancer. Although many of our respondents who saw a primary-care doctor left dissatisfied, doctors can write referrals for hands-on treatments that might be covered by health insurance.
Enduring the pain or seeing a chiropractor or physical therapist as a first step might be OK for a recurrent, familiar back problem. Most of the 35 percent of our respondents who didn’t see a health professional had severely limiting pain for less than a week. Many of those with more prolonged pain who didn’t see a healthcare professional said it was because of cost concerns or because they did not believe professional care could help.
Research suggests that chiropractic manipulation can reduce acute low-back pain, and many, though certainly not all, of the respondents who tried it said it helped. Albert McCann, 54, a respondent from Lakeland, Fla., has kept working as a petroleum transport engineer, driving a semi truck and using 20-foot-long hoses several times a day. By following a chiropractor’s recommendations and getting treatment every few weeks—including manual adjustments, electric stimulation, and a spinalator (roller-massage table)—he is able to keep his back pain to a minimum.
Massage and physical therapy were other treatments rated very helpful by 48 and 46 percent of consumers, respectively. “My back pain was unrelenting,” says survey respondent Charlene Mower of Fayetteville, Ark. “Before physical therapy, I thought I was done for.” Mower, 51, hurt her back while trying to lift her bedridden mother. She credits the training in lifting and bending techniques that a therapist gave her and continued exercise for her long-term success in staving off pain.
Lifestyle changes can help .
Cindy Pickett developed low-back pain at age 22, when she was building a bookcase and suffered two slipped disks. Over the years back pain and other factors led to a 100-pound weight gain. At 59, Pickett, a schoolteacher from Flagstaff, Ariz., retired and decided to make weight loss and exercise her full-time job. She credits her improvement to the combination of weight loss and abdominal-strengthening exercises that reduced pressure on her lower back. Pickett reports that she has not had to take pain relievers for months.
Forty-four percent of our survey respondents found exercise helpful, making it the top self-help measure. And a surprising 58 percent of respondents wished that they had done more exercises to strengthen their backs in the past year. That is more than twice the number who told us they wished that they had reduced or avoided activities that might make the pain worse.
Use caution with surgery
Your doctor might suggest you see a surgeon if back pain is unrelenting and no other treatment seems to work. We conducted a separate survey of almost 1,000 consumers who have had back surgery in the past five years.
Those who had back surgery had tried nine to 10 treatments and described themselves as much more impaired by their pain than people with back problems who did not have surgery. Just 60 percent of the back-surgery respondents were completely or very satisfied with the results, compared with 82 percent of respondents who were satisfied after hip- or knee-replacement surgery in our 2006 survey.
But satisfaction depended on the diagnosis and the type of surgery. Those with degenerative disk disease (arthritis of the spine) were far less likely to be highly satisfied with surgery (54 percent) than those with a herniated disk (73 percent) or spinal stenosis (71 percent).
Alfonso Sanchez, 38, a state senatorial aide from Sacramento, Calif., was highly satisfied with his lumbar discectomy. His back pain turned excruciating when he was canvassing door-to-door in the hills of San Francisco last June. After failing to improve with acupuncture, physical therapy, and chiropractic treatments, Sanchez underwent a microdiscectomy last August. Remarkably, as soon as he woke up from the anesthesia, his pain was gone. He is now back to gardening and riding a bike to work.
But not everyone does so well. More than 50 percent of respondents reported at least one problem with recovery, finding it lengthier and more painful than they had expected. Indeed, 16 percent of back-surgery respondents said that their back pain did not improve, and half of those said it became worse after surgery. The most common regret was that more post-surgery rehabilitation was not planned.
If you’re told you need surgery, get a second opinion from another practitioner, preferably one who is not a surgeon. If you decide that surgery is the best approach, ask whether the surgeon is board-certified and find out how many operations he or she has done.
For more guidance, see our free diagnostic tool for back pain at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org. More detailed information is available to subscribers to that site, including consumer ratings and the medical evidence for 23 back remedies
Who helped the most?
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The percent of people highly (completely or very) satisfied with their back-pain treatments and advice varied by practitioner visited.
Professional - Highly satisfied
Chiropractor 59%
Physical therapist 55%
Acupuncturist 53%
Physician, specialist 44%
Physician, primary care 34%
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Differences in Ratings for physical therapists and acupuncturists were not statistically significant.
Article is from “Contents: Consumer Reports” Magazine
May 2009 pages 12-13
Tags: Anti Inflammatories, Back Injury, Chronic Pain, Spinal Decompression, Sports Injury, Treatment
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FOOT PROBLEMS: FLat Feet
Posted on September 16th, 2009
Pes Planus (Flat Feet)
A true flat foot is rare. Generally, a flat footed-person is only suffering from a functional flat foot caused by excess pronation. Excess pronation causes the foot’s arch to collapse and elongate giving the appearance of a flat foot. A functional flat foot is quite common and generally exhibits symptoms ranging from sore/tired feet to general leg fatigue and body aches.
Treatment
Orthotics (foot supports) control excess pronation by preventing excess calcaneal eversion during the contact phase of gait. This prevents secondary unlocking of the mid-tarsal joints during the mid-stance phase of gait which is commonly representative of Pes Planus (flat feet)
In other words:
Our Foot Supports (Orthotics) and Treatment Programs are designed to control excess pronation which is the common cause of functional flat feet; thereby restoring the foot’s arch to normal. We have an 85% success rate!
Article is from: Performance Through Innovation: Practitioner’s guide to dispensing Vasyli Orthotics by Phillip J. Vasyli (p. 35)
Tags: Foot Pain, Orthotics, Treatment
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A Glimpse of an Invisible Illness
Posted on September 10th, 2009
I completed some statements that I received from one of Facebook.com’s group called “Understanding Invisible Illnesses.”
30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know
1. The illness (and chronic problems) I live with are: Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain Syndrome, Bilateral Anterior Displaced Menisci, Anterior dislocation of the Anterior (right) disc and Articular disc (left)/ Allergies/ Myofascial Pain Syndrome/ Arthritis in Jaw and Neck/ Visual Migraines/ High ear sensitivity/ subject to regular Migraines, yet have Headaches 24 hours a day/7 days a week/ IBS / Cervical Vertigo/ stomach problems which make it hard to eat many foods/ severe TMJ, etc… There is a lot more, but I don’t want to overwhelm you. ha-ha lol.
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2001
3. But I had symptoms since: 1995, symptoms started after a head injury and increased through the years.
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: (this one is a hard one because there are so many) Wearing ear plugs all the time/ Not being able to go places or do things that my friends are able to do. / The first time I said I am going to go to college and make something of myself; after I went for a couple of months, I had the head injury which has made it to where I have a hard time comprehending. I had to drop out for a little bit, and then only was able to take 2 classes at a time, and now, I am lucky if I finish one at a time. / Also not being able to go to church all the time, is really hard.
5. Most people assume: if I say that I am okay or fine, then they think I am doing great and not in pain.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: Getting up…I have a hard time moving in the morning, like hard to walk / I have ‘fibro fog’/ colon is messed up/ painful joints/ try to wake up from a horrible night sleep of tossing and turning. (Before my injury and illness, I was a morning person and would be the first one up and ready to go)
7. My favorite medical TV show is: House and Dr. Oz
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: my earplugs (everyday sounds are like a trumpet blowing in my ear) and also my sunglasses (have sensitivity to brightness). I have a new love for foot orthotics.
9. The hardest part about nights is: Getting to sleep/staying asleep and tossing and turning.
10. Each day I take (how many) pills & vitamins: a bunch
11. Regarding alternative treatments: I am having success with chiropractic although, I did try acupuncture and it caused severe muscle spasms throughout my body. (They say that doesn’t usually happen)
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: (that’s hard to answer because I know that when I do have a brace on my arm, people sympathize with me, yet that brace I wear only at different times and that pain is no way near the pain I have daily. Also when I use my handicap card people kind of look at me different because they see me as someone who doesn’t look like I have pain.) So yes I guess sometimes it would be nice that I would have a visible illness instead of an invisible one.
13. Regarding working and career: let’s see, in 1995 had to stop working for several months due to a head injury, then I did many years of part-time work because the pain was so bad, and had to stop working in 2001 because symptoms increased.
14. People would be surprised to know: that there are times that I just need a hug and for people to actually be there for me when I really need it. (I have a couple of my friends who do, but a lot of people say they would do anything for me, but they disappear).
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: not being able to go to church all the time. I need that network or contact of friendly hugs. Facebook is great, but I so miss the physical contact.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: hmm, I don’t know. Maybe keep on going no matter what.
17. The commercials about my illness: within the last couple of years there are a few that has popped up about Fibromyalgia: like Lyrica and then there are those IBS commercials which I dislike. They always show ladies with flat tummies who have IBS, and that is so not true.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: singing in the church choir, just hanging out with my friends at any time of day, and driving whenever I want to.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: singing and eating foods I like. I kept trying several times to sing again, but with severe TMJ and headaches which lead to migraines, it’s kind of hard to do that. I tried throughout the years, but it just led to migraines and major muscle spasms in jaw. Not so much fun.
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: drawing, and painting,
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: go to church, hang out with my friends, maybe go to a Christian concert, and eat ice cream. Oh, buy a car and drive forever, I haven’t been able to drive on a regular basis because of all the health and visual problems I have.
22. My illness has taught me: live minute to minute, trust in God, be my own advocate; keep standing up for what I believe in- if it’s medical rights or God. I have also learned that when someone says that they are doing okay, I know they are usually hurting or in pain.
23. Want to know a secret? I like encouraging cards and phone calls, just to say hi or being there for me, is so important.
24. But I love it when people: I do appreciate the ones who contact me on Facebook.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: “Jesus wept.” Jesus had compassion for Lazarus; even though he knew he would raise Lazarus from the dead, he still wept. That shows compassion and it shows me that He has compassion for me.
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: I know what you are going through; if you need to talk or need prayer, contact me; stand up for yourself; set boundaries, and lean on God.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: I am learning that I can handle anything that comes my way and that God has brought me through so much.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: brought me dinner and sent me a card.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: I know what people are going through.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: that you do care or you or someone you know has some sort of chronic illness or pain.
Find out more about National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week and the 5-day free virtual conference with 20 speakers Sept 14-18, 2009 at www.invisibleillness.com
Tags: Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, Invisible Illnesses, Tanya's Blog, Treatment
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Standard Process: Whole Food Supplements
Posted on September 6th, 2009
Call for more information or for a consultation to learn more about Standard Process: Whole Food Supplements.
List of Whole Food Supplements
A-C Carbamide®_____ Adrenal Desiccated_______ A-F Betafood®__________ Albaplex®____________ Allerplex®___________ Antronex®______________ Arginex®_______________ B6 Niacinamide_______ Betacol®____________ Betafood®______________ Betaine Hydrochloride____ Bio-Dent®_____________ Biost®______________ Black Currant Seed Oil____ Cal-Amo®______________Calcifood®______________ Calcifood® Powder____Calcium Lactate__________ Calcium Lactate Powder__ Cal-Ma Plus®__________ Calsol®_____________ Cardio-Plus®____________Cardiotrophin PMG®______Catalyn®______________ Catalyn® Chewable____Cataplex® A_____________Cataplex® A-C__________ Cataplex® A-C-P_________ Cataplex® B__________Cataplex® B12__________ Cataplex® C____________ Cataplex® D____________ Cataplex® E__________Cataplex® E2____________Cataplex® F Perles______ Cataplex® F Tablets________ Cataplex® G__________Cataplex® GTF__________Cayenne Pepper_________Chezyn®_______________ Chlorophyll Complex™________________________ Chlorophyll Complex Ointment™___________________
Cholacol®____________Cholacol® II_____________ Cholaplex®_____________ Choline________________ Circuplex®___________ Collagen C™____________Collinsonia Root__________Congaplex®____________ Congaplex®Chewable__Copper Liver Chelate™____ Cruciferous Complete™___Cyrofood®_____________ Cyrofood® Powder_____Cyro-Yeast®____________Cyruta®________________ Cyruta® Plus__________ Dermatrophin PMG®___ Diaplex®________________Disodium Phosphate______Drenamin®___________ Drenatrophin PMG®____Echinacea C™__________ E-Manganese™__________ Emphaplex®_________________ e-Poise®____________ Fen-Cho®_______________ Fen-Gre®_____________Ferrofood®__________________ Folic Acid B12_________For-Til B12®____________ Garlic__________________ Gastrex®_________________
Gastro-Fiber®________Ginkgo Synergy®_________ Glucosamine Synergy®______Hepatrophin PMG®___
Hypothalamus PMG®__Hypothalmex®____________ Immuplex®________________ Inositol_______________
Inositol Powder_______ Iodomere®______________ Iplex®____________________ Lact-Enz®__________
Lactic Acid Yeast™____Ligaplex® I______________ Ligaplex® II________________ Linum B6____________
Livaplex®___________ Magnesium Lactate________ Mammary PMG®____________ Manganese B12™_______
Min-Chex®__________ Min-Tran®_______________ Multizyme®________________ Myo-Plus®____________
Myotrophin PMG®____ Neuroplex®______________ Neurotrophin PMG®__________ Niacinamide B6_________
Nutrimere®__________Oculotrophin PMG®_______ Okra Pepsin E3_____________ OPC Synergy®____________
Orchex®____________Orchic PMG®____________ Organically Bound Minerals___ Ostarplex®____________
Ostrophin PMG®_____Ovatrophin PMG®_________ Ovex®___________________ Ovex® P____________
Palmettoplex®_______ Pancreatrophin PMG®_____ Paraplex®________________ Parotid PMG®__________
Phosfood® Liquid____ Pituitrophin PMG®_________ Pneumotrophin PMG®_______Prolamine Iodine___________
Prostate PMG®______ Prost-X™________________Protefood®________________ Renafood®____________
Renatrophin PMG®___ Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)____ Rumaplex®________________ Senaplex®____________
Sesame Seed Oil____ Soybean Lecithin__________SP Cleanse®______________ SP Complete™____________
SP Green Food™____ Spanish Black Radish Organically Grown _______________ Spleen Desiccated ________
Spleen PMG®_______ St. John’s Wort-IMT™______ Super-EFF®______________ Symplex® F____________
Symplex® M________ Thymex®________________ Thymus PMG®____________ Thytrophin PMG®__________
Trace Minerals-B12™_________________________ Tuna Omega-3 Chewable____ Tuna Omega-3 Oil__________ USF Ointment®_____Utrophin PMG®____________ Vasculin®_________________ Wheat Germ Oil____________ Wheat Germ Oil Fortified™_____________________ Whey Pro Complete_________Whole Food Fiber___________ Zinc Liver Chelate™___________________________ Zinc Test™_______________ Zymex® Capsules_________ Zymex® Wafers_____Zymex® II_________________ Zypan®____________________________________________
Standard Process: Purification Products:
• Purification Product Kit with Gastro-Fiber
• Purification Product Kit with Whole Food Fiber
Standard Process: StandardBars:
• Berry StandardBar®
• Cocoa Cherry StandardBar® (High Protein)
• Cocoa Crisp StandardBar® (High Protein)
• Peanut Butter StandardBar® (High Protein)
• Soy Almond Crunch StandardBar®
Advanced Injury Center
Dr. Mike Trudeau
4695 Hallmark Parkway
San Bernardino, CA 92407
909-648-3551
Tags: Nutrition, Standard Process, Treatment, Vitamins, Whole Food Supplements
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Reflexology – “Foot Focus”
Posted on September 4th, 2009
Feeling Tired?
Stressed Out?
Feet Hurt?
It’s time for some Reflexology with “Foot Focus.”
The Theory is that your feet mirror your body. If you placed an image of your body over your feet, you can see how the toes correspond to the head area. Where the toes join the foot is the shoulder line and so on down the body.
Each foot has over 7,200 nerve endings (reflex points) that directly correspond to every organ and part of your body. Over time, crystalline deposits form wherever there is a blockage of blood or energy.
Benefits of Reflexology
*Stress Reduction- Doctors agree that over 75% of our health issues are stress related.
*Stimulated Nerve Function – encourage the opening and clearing of neural pathways. Reduces pain by interrupting pain pathways.
*Improved Circulation – Results in better oxygen and nutrient supply to all cells in the body.
Reflexology is the “drugless” way to better health, requiring no exercise and no expensive equipment. Reflexology is an effective technique for regaining better health, but it IS NOT intended to replace the care of your physician.
Fun Foot Facts
*Our feet bear a cumulative weight of 1,000 tons a day.
*They cushion as much as a million pounds of pressure during only one hour of strenuous exercise!
*The average person walks over 115,000 miles during their lifetime!
*One-fourth of all the bones in your body are in your feet!
Reflexology uses a specific touch technique of applying pressure to the reflex areas which breaks up those deposits and releases them into the bloodstream for proper elimination. This type of therapy creates a physiological change in the body by naturally improving circulation, which reduces your body tension and stress.
Welcome to Foot Focus where I can improve your wellness by improving your circulation and reducing your body stress!
Foot Focus offers you an inexpensive, relaxing foot treatment in the comfort of your own home of office.
A one hour session consists of a consultation, warm foot bath, reflexology session and ends with a soothing oil treatment.
Give it a try…. Your feet will love you for it!
Call and make an appointment with Cindy Hauk (Certified Reflexologist).
Advanced Injury Center- A Wellness Clinic
4695 Hallmark Parkway
San Bernardino, CA 92407
909-648-3551
Tags: Chronic Pain, Foot Pain, Reflexology, Sports Injury, Treatment
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