Question:

I’ve had long episodes of backache, and now that I have a desk-bound job, it’s often very painful and is affecting my sleep. There are two main areas: my lower back- I’ve been told my pelvis and hips are dislocated – and between my shoulder blades. I also have pain in my right shoulder.

Answer:

Most backaches and pain are muscular rather than skeletal in origin. Homo sapiens inherited back trouble because our ancestors started to walk upright. If you look at the spine, all the weight of the organs is in the front. Because of this, the body tends to fall forward so the back muscles act like the ropes of a pulley, to keep us erect, (Think you always fall forwards when you faint.) If your posture changes and you stoop forwards – due to a desk job, lots of forward-bending work (eg, lifting) or exercises such as sit-ups and rowing –the spinal muscles will be overstrained.

Animals have their body weight supported horizontally by the spine. Their vertebrae are thicker and bigger towards the neck and shoulder area to support the heavy head. In humans, the lumbar vertebrae in the lower spine are broader and tougher than those in the neck because our vertical weight must be supported by vertebrae and cushioned by discs (which also become thicker going down the spine).

Two problems can cause the discs to become painful. They become compressed and pinched vertically, due to weight and gravitational force, or, more commonly, squeezed laterally so they bulge out sideways – mostly in one direction so you get one sided pain. lf you put a round hot-water bottle – the disc – between two square or round blocks of wood -the vertebrae – and twist them in opposite directions, the water bottle will twist too and bulge in one place (discs rarely bulge in both directions, causing bilateral pain).

The old-fashioned treatment for back pain was traction, which attempted to release vertically compressed discs – but since these were uncommon, it didn’t work well. Osteopaths and chiropractors were more successful because they corrected lateral torsion (twisting) by manipulating sideways. In my experience, lateral spinal problems are caused by tightness of muscles in the corresponding area. The logic is that only muscular spasm or tightness on one side, due to repetitive strain or posture, can cause the spine to twist or the face joints to dislocate or misalign, which both cause pain. Groin injuries (due to repetitive movements in one direction, as in golf or squash, or carrying with one hand), abdominal muscle strains, or strains or injuries in the upper thigh muscles and tendons make the spine twist in one direction as the body tries to find a comfortable position. This changes the posture and creates the torsion that causes the lumbar discs to bulge. Moreover, the spine bends forward as the body tries to minimise discomfort, so the person strains the ‘pulley system’ muscles in the lumbar back, the buttocks and the hamstrings at the back ol the thighs. The more you bend forward, the harder they have to work and the tighter and more uncomfortable they become.

My findings are written up in Dr Ali’s Ultimate Back Book. Most back problems can be treated – surgery is necessary in very few cases. I’m not sure what you mean by a dislocated pelvis but I recommend osteopathy, plus acupuncture for your shoulder.

You should also try the following

Diet

* Avoid acid-forming foods such as citrus fruits, pineapples, mangoes, rhubarb, vinegar, nuts, chillies, white wine, champagne and brandy. Excess stomach acid leads to indigestion and heartburn, and increases aches and pains; muscle tendons become sore and more prone to injuries.

* Drink 1.5 to 2 litres of still water daily and avoid coffee, alcohol and excess salt as they dehydrate the body. Dehydration causes muscle spasm and pain in the kidney areas,

* Lose excess weight: my new Weight Loss DVD gives you dietary advice, massage and exercises which will also help your back.

Yoga

Therapeutic iyengar yoga will help you, particularly these postures: embryo, supine twist, locust, cobra and downward dog. See my book Therapeutic Yoga co-written with Jiwan Brar. Find a qualified yoga teacher locally.

Massage

Get a friend or sports massage therapist to massage the muscles of the entire spine, the buttocks and hamstrings (back of thighs), focusing on the side that hurts. Also massage your right arm and shoulder with Joint oil.

For further information

About back pain and other related problems write mail to.

A study published recently in the Archives of Internal Medicine reveals acupuncture to be more effective than conventional treatments in reducing back pain.

Funded by the National Institutes of Health, researchers divided over 600 participants with back pain into four groups. Two groups received acupuncture, one group received a placebo version of acupuncture (in which the skin was stimulated but not pierced), while the participants of the final group received no acupuncture, but continued the conventional treatment program they were on.

At the end of seven weeks, all three groups who received acupuncture experienced greater and more meaningful improvement in their back pain than the conventional-care group. Even placebo acupuncture techniques yielded positive results.

The positive effects of the placebo acupuncture raised questions about how acupuncture works, and what it is about the technique that causes a therapeutic result. According to Dan Cherkin PhD, key researcher. “One possibility is there is a physiological chain of events that occurs when you insert a needle or just stimulate the skin superficially. They may or may not be the same.” Another possibility: “believing you are getting a treatment that will help your back pain” actually does help it.

“Overall, 60% of the acupuncture-treated patients, but just 39% of the usual-care group patients had meaningful improvements in dysfunction,” a WebMD article states. Meaningful improvements refers to relief that allows patients to return to activities of daily living previously hindered by back pain.

Cherkin also remarks that Americans spend some $37 billion a year for medical care for back pain, and that acupuncture is a cost-effective option for those seeking treatment for the condition.

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine are increasingly recognized by the Western medical community as safe and effective pain management solutions. Many MDs recommend acupuncture and Oriental Medicine as an adjunct therapy to patients suffering from back pain.

By: Sharon Sherman

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Sharon Sherman is a Licensed Practitioner of Chinese Medicine specializing in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs. Sharon is the founder of Empirical Point, with offices in Mt. Airy and Center City Philadelphia. To view more information about Chinese medicine please see Philadelphia Acupuncture website. and Philadelphia Acupuncture Blog.

Back pain sufferers are constantly searching for natural back pain remedies before resorting to extreme measures like medications and surgeries. Exercise has become very popular for people of all ages in trying to relieve back pain.

One very widespread exercise is Pilates which is an exercise that focuses on strengthening and improving flexibility of the muscles that support the spine. By doing these exercises, back pain is eventually eliminated over time, which varies from person to person.

Pilates involves a series of stretches that are carried out in a specific order. Concentrating on several muscle groups at the same time is vital in order to have the spine aligned properly. The ultimate goal is to achieve total body health.

The Pilates routine is based on several principles which include proper alignment of the spine leading to better posture, correct breathing, improved flexibility and reduced stress levels.

Most Pilates exercises are designed to be performed on a soft mat on the floor. In the more advanced classes, resistance equipment is also integrated into the exercises. Movements are performed in a specific sequence with some repetitions and an emphasis on proper breathing. Pilates and be done either in a group setting or alone by acquiring pilates exercises on tapes or books. As with every exercise routine, the movements should be customized to account for specific fitness levels to avoid injury. By practicing Pilates 2-3 times a week for 45 minute to 1 hour sessions and maintaining a healthy diet you can also achieve your optimal weight.

As with any exercise regimen, if you have determined that Pilates is the back pain remedy for you, check with your doctor if you have a spinal condition that has already been diagnosed. Your doctor can help you determine whether Pilates is an appropriate form of exercise for you, and it’s critical that you rely on his or her judgment to avoid further complications.

By: Scott Webster

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

With many of his
friends and family suffering from back pain due to injuries and
obesity, Scott Webster started looking for ways to help his loved
ones. To read more articles by Scott
Webster, go to his blog on back pain remedies
where you’ll find more articles about back pain remedies as well
as exercises for back pain.

Do you suffer from back pain? If you do, you are not alone. Back pain is one of the leading reasons for people missing work today in the United States. It also is the cause of most work related injuries. This problem affects anybody regardless of their occupation. It doesn?t matter if you are among those with physically demanding jobs or if you work at a desk for a living. The following Exercises for back pain will help you relieve your pain or avoid pain all together.

The best way to prevent back injuries is to be sure to stretch before lifting any heavy weights and if you can, start a weight lifting regimen to strengthen your back muscles.

Also it is very important that you keep in mind that the back injuries can be very serious due to the fact that back muscles are very sensitive and they may be severely injured if not careful. As with any other exercise program, please consult your doctor before starting these exercises for back pain relief.

These exercises target the lower back because this is the most common problem area. The exercises should be done on a daily basis. Be certain to change the sequence from time to time.

Side Bend
Standing with your arms at your sides and your feet slightly apart, bend your body to the left side running your hand down to the side of your leg. Bend your entire upper body at the waist as far as possible without straining. Stay in that position for 5 seconds and then straighten your body up. Now repeat this routine on the other side of your body. Perform this exercise 5 times on each side.

Knee to chest
Start the exercise by laying on your back on a flat surface. Bend one of your legs towards your chest and hold your knee with both hands. Pull your knee towards your chest while keeping the other leg and back flat against the floor. Maintain this position for about 10 to 15 seconds, then lower your leg until it is flat against the floor. Repeat this exercise with the other knee. Repeat sequence 5 times with each leg.

Wag the Tail
Start by going down on all fours facing down. Try to keep your shoulders still while moving your right hip slowly to the right as far as possible. Slowly return to the starting position. Repeat exercise to the left now. Repeat exercise five times on each side.

Upper back stretch
Using a stool, sit with your back and head against a flat wall. Stretch your arms toward the ceiling and hold them up for 5 seconds. Then, try to make your shoulders touch the wall. Hold this position for another 5 seconds. Lower your arms. Repeat exercise 5 times.

Hip Stretches
Start by getting down on all fours while keeping your neck straight parallel to the floor and looking down. Lower your head by bending your neck while at the same time you bend your right knee towards your head. Then raise your head up and stretch your right leg until it is parallel to the floor. Return to the starting position. Repeat the exercise with the left leg. Repeat sequence 5 times.

Perform these exercises on a daily basis and in no time you?ll experience improvement of your back condition. Your body will become more flexible and you will lower your chances of injuring your back. Do you have 5 to 10 minutes per day to perform these exercises for back pain relief? Of course you do!

By: Scott Webster

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

With many of his
friends and family suffering from back pain due to injuries and
obesity, Scott Webster started looking for ways to help his loved
ones. To read more articles by Scott
Webster, go to his blog on back pain remedies
where you’ll find more articles about back pain remedies as well
as exercises for back pain.