Saturday, June 8, 2013

Spinal Stenosis Is One of The Causes of Your Sciatic Pain - The Technique to Permanently Cure It


spinal stenosis



Sciatic pain could be caused by pressure on the nerve because of a narrowing of the spinal canal. There are several possible conditions that results to spinal stenosis:

Heredity - If your spinal canal is too small at birth, then there are possibilities that symptoms of spinal stenosis could show up in a relatively young person. The involved vertebrae could cause narrowing of the spinal canal through deformities.

Trauma - Injuries and accidents can either dislocate the spine and the spinal canal or it could lead to burst fractures that produce fragments of bone which penetrate the canal.

Aging - Considering aging, the body's ligaments (these are tough connective tissues between the bones in the spine) could thicken. Spurs (small growths) might develop on the bones and into the spinal canal. The facet joints (There are flat surfaces on each vertebra that constitute the spinal column) also may start to get weak.

There are techniques available to cure spinal stenosis. It is a method of physical and mental re-education to reduce habitual and unnecessary tension in all human activity through awareness of balance, posture and movement. The objective of the technique is to relieve pain in seconds. You must know that if you are suffering from this kind of pain, then the theory behind the cause of your pain in most cases, if not caused by a particular medical condition, would be muscle fatigue, which is caused by stress, tension and most time misuse of muscles, and that is where this technique come into play to correct that muscle you have been misusing, beat that stress you have been carrying for months or even year to give you that lasting relief from pain. All you have to do is download the e-book, apply the technique and start experiencing fast relief from pain.

Spinal Stenosis Symptoms


spinal stenosis



The symptoms of spinal stenosis are caused by a compression or an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal. This is an uncharacteristic change of the canal which can cause a lot of discomfort, even severe pain, as well as other symptoms that should be given immediate medical attention.

Generally, spinal stenosis has two common types, lumbar stenosis and cervical stenosis, and a lot of the symptoms can be found in both types of stenosis. Lumbar stenosis is a more common affliction, while cervical stenosis is the more hazardous one, as it involves a compression of the spinal cord in a very critical part of the body being the neck region.

Common Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis

The symptoms of lumbar stenosis include:

  • Radiating numbness, weakness or tingling of one or both legs.

  • Loss of balance leading to frequent falling or difficulty to walk.

  • Neurogenic claudication or foot and leg pain resulting from certain postures.

  • Sciatica pain associated with a tingling pain or numbness caused by irritation to the sciatic nerve.

  • A severe case of spinal stenosis can affect the nerves to the bladder or bowel leading to incontinence.

Cervical stenosis symptoms include:

  • Numbness, weakness, pain or cramping in the arms.

  • Pain in the shoulders, back, arms and neck.

  • Where cervical spinal stenosis involves some pressure on the spinal cord, signs may also include pain, numbness and weakness in the legs and feet.

  • Bowel and bladder symptoms.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis typically starts with a complete history and physical exam. Discuss your symptoms in detail with your doctor. The physical examination and the symptoms the patient is experiencing will help a doctor assess the severity of the condition and which specific treatment should be used.

However, diagnosing spinal stenosis in a patient can sometimes be difficult. Most of the symptoms, if not all, common to this condition are also prevalent in other common health problems. This is when medical imaging studies for patients become indispensable.

Diagnostic imaging to determine whether or not you have lumbar stenosis or cervical stenosis usually involves X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computerized tomography (CT) scans with myelogram.

Who Is Commonly Affected by Spinal Stenosis?

This problem is common in women and men age 50 years old and above due to the aging process. However, this condition also occurs in children and young people with birth defects or suffering from benign or cancerous tumors. Accidents or other major trauma can also cause the condition to people of any age. This happens when a bone is dislocated or fractured which may result in damage to the spinal canal leading to compression of the spinal cord or nerves.

Treatment Options

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, doctors will usually recommend a regimen of non-invasive treatment. Here are some of the common non-surgical treatments of spinal stenosis:

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to minimize the swelling and analgesics or other appropriate medications to relieve the pain.

  • Rest and restricted daily activity.

  • Spinal stenosis exercises and/or physical therapy to help stabilize the spine, as well as reduce some of the spinal stenosis symptoms and signs.

In more serious cases, surgery will be recommended by your doctor.

An Overview of the Risk Factors Related to Cervical Spondylosis


spinal stenosis



Why do people develop Cervical Spondylosis? There are a handful of answers to this one question which usually affects men rather than women. Primarily, patients suffering from this disease are most likely to complain neck stiffness and pain. The pain can be relieved by oral medications, although it only goes away for a few hours then gradually returns back again. In a span of about 10 hours, the pain is there again and will continue to bother your daily routine.

Your doctor will first recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) once you were diagnosed to present clinical manifestations of Cervical Spondylosis. Your physician will also need you to maintain your ideal weight by performing daily exercises which was specifically designed to relieve neck strains. Alongside with this, you will be educated on the appropriate sleeping positions you need to follow in order to achieve maximal bed rest while at the same time avoiding twisting your neck for prolonged hours of sleep.

Your age predetermines if you are to develop Cervical Spondylosis. Around 83% of people ranging from the age of 60 to 65 along with 95% of the total population with the age of 70 suffers from this degenerative disease. Recent studies have showed that the condition can also develop at the age of twenty.

There are certain types of occupations that contribute to Cervical Spondylosis. Most of these occupations entail an application of extra pressure to your neck. Overhead work along with awkward neck positioning serves as the culprit to developing the disease. Examples of these occupations are professional gymnasts and dancers that require repetitive neck movements. High impact sports such as rugby can also contribute to the development of the condition.

Another risk factor that you should be careful about is trauma directed to the neck area. Car accidents, for example, provide a direct injury to your neck. Injuries acquired during work hours can also direct the formation of bones spurs in the intervertebral discs of the spinal cord.

Psychological factors including prolonged depression and anxiety can also signal the onset of Cervical Spondylosis. These unwanted emotions most of the time triggers neck pain, which is one of the earliest sign of the disease. If you experiencing these mental illnesses, it is recommended that you visit your psychologist to correct the negative emotions. Your physician might be prescribing mild sleeping pills and anti-depressants to address the issue.

Last on the most common risk factors is smoking. Your health is jeopardized the moment you start sticking that cigarette in your mouth. It had been proven in recent studies that chain smokers have more brittle bones as compared to non-smokers.

Treating Sciatica With Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine


spinal stenosis



Sciatica is a condition that is characterized by the compression of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body. It begins in the lower back and extends down the back of the leg on both sides. Sciatica is just a symptom of another medical problem. The pain can be very debilitating and possibly even leave someone unable to move. Sciatica is usually felt down one leg and on one side of the hips and buttock, and it can progress slowly over time.
Sciatica pain symptoms are usually felt in the buttock, hip, and down the leg possibly even in the foot. The pain may be described as:

• Sharp or stabbing
• Dull or ache
• Tingling
• Burning
• Numbness
• Weakness

The symptoms of sciatica may get worse with:
• Standing or sitting
• Sneezing, coughing, or laughing
• Bending backwards
• Walking (even short distances)
• Exercise

The western treatment of sciatica includes:
• Letting it resolve on its own with lots of rest
• Applying heat or ice to the affected area
• Over the counter pain medications or anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant prescription medications
• Sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees to alleviate the pressure on the nerve
• If sleeping on your back, placing a pillow underneath your knees to alleviate pressure on the lower back
• Physical therapy, exercises, and stretching
• Surgery

As mentioned earlier, sciatica is just a symptom of another medical problem. Those may include:
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis, or "slipped disk"
• Piriformis syndrome
• Trauma - such as a car accident or fall
• Herniated disk in the spine

In Chinese medicine, sciatica may be caused by one or a combination of several different patterns, including:
• Qi and blood stagnation
• Liver-Kidney Yin Deficiency
• Liver Depression
• Wind-Cold Damp Bi Syndrome

These patterns may be caused by trauma to the lower back area, due to a normal decline in Qi with aging, the body responding to stress, one of the problems in the spine mentioned earlier, or another cause. It is recommended that the underlying cause of the sciatica be diagnosed with a doctor in order to ensure that the cause is also treated, not just the pain.

Sciatica pain can be treated with acupuncture. There are acupuncture points in the back, hip, leg, and hands that can help alleviate the pain, increase blood flow and Qi flow to the affected area, and decrease the compression on the nerve. There are also ear acupuncture points that may be used also to help decrease the pain signals to the brain as well as supplement the therapeutic effect of the body needles.

Additionally, there are liniments (oils) that may be prescribed that help increase Qi flow along the affected meridian as well as decrease pain. They can be rubbed into the affected area by the patient at home after the acupuncture treatment. Customized herbal formulas may also help in the case of complex or deeply rooted patterns. Both liniments and herbal formulas may be used to help continue treatment between acupuncture sessions.

How to Stop Sciatica - Understanding the Age-Progressive Phenomena and Processes Affecting the Spine


spinal stenosis



The process of aging may have multiple impacts and/or effects on the spine, with myriad symptoms expressed. Some symptoms of a more severe, underlying condition may include neck pain, back pain, and sciatica nerve pain, also known as sciatica. Some consequences of aging that lead to pain are degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and herniated discs. In addition to these conditions or pathologies, an individual may develop osteophytosis, bony spurs or bridges from one vertebral body to the next, osteoarthritis, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and a myriad of other, often related pathologies.

Sciatica is often a consequence of one or more of the above mentioned conditions. The medical term for sciatic nerve pain, also known as sciatica, is radiculopathy. Radiculopathy is a term that means, in layman's English, that the disc in between the vertebral bodies is out of position and is irritating the nerve root, the radicular nerve. Sciatica may be experienced at any point along the nerve route. Specifically, sciatica is a symptom or set of symptoms. Sciatic nerve pain is not the ultimate diagnosis but rather an expression of the pain itself. In its simplest expression, sciatica is pain that generally radiates across the buttocks and down one or both legs. The reason sciatica is referred to as a set of symptoms instead of as a diagnosis is because it does not explain the underlying cause of the pain. In fact, there may be many causes and or many factors that are contributing to what we commonly referred to as sciatica.

Sciatica may range from a slight discomfort in the buttocks or behind the knee to a severe, debilitating, and even disabling and/or crippling level of pain. In most cases, sciatic nerve pain will affect or impact only one side of the body, pain may be limited to a single region or it may express itself all the way down the leg and even into the toes. The actual sciatic nerve pain or sciatica may range from mild discomfort and tingling to a burning sensation that worsens upon sitting. Weakness, loss of feeling, and even loss of function may be a consequence of sciatica. Because the condition is a symptom and not the ultimate diagnosis, if it should last more than 48 to 72 hours, a medical practitioner should be consulted.

Degenerative disc disease is but one cause of sciatic nerve pain or sciatica. However, it is one of the most common, if not the most common, of the many causes of not only sciatica but also back pain and neck pain. Degenerative disc disease is one of the most misunderstood of all spinal pathologies. Because it is termed "degenerative" people often assume that there is a progression, ultimately worsening with age. In fact, the opposite seems to be true, the degeneration of the intervertebral discs (IVDs) is a natural consequence of aging. Pain associated with degenerative disc disease, like sciatica itself, ranges in its expression from mild to severe. Degenerative disc disease is, in fact, completely mislabeled, for it is neither degenerative in the sense that it is a relentless, ongoing pathology, nor is it a disease in the sense that it is an illness. It is not! Finally, if diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, you are not doomed to a progression ultimately leading to disability but, rather, it is within your power to deal effectively with the symptoms of low back pain and sciatica.

Spinal stenosis or simply stenosis generally refers to a narrowing of the nerve canal through which a nerve or bundle of nerves pass through. So, if you picture a small hole, one that over time becomes narrower and narrower, eventually becoming so restrictive that the nerve becomes pinched and pain ensues, you have a basic idea, a picture, of what stenosis is. There are many causes for stenosis, some having to do with bone deposition due to stress, others with inflammation, still others with a complex of factors. Ultimately, they all lead to the same set of symptoms, neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica. Stenosis may be the most difficult condition, pathology, to deal with and may ultimately require surgery to reopen the passage so the nerve can pass through unrestricted. However, there are alternative treatments strategies available for those unwilling or unable to undergo surgery.

Herniated discs often cause severe, even debilitating neck pain, back pain, and sciatica. The condition is most common in white males 35 to 40 years old, and older. The IVDs most affected are those of the secondary curvatures of the spine, the cervical (neck) and lumbar (low back) areas or curvatures. However, other sectors of the population and the other curvatures of the spine can be and are affected as well. Picture a jelly doughnut, that's right, a jelly doughnut! The intervertebral disk or IVD is very much like a jelly doughnut. The IVD is made up of circular rings of cartilage surrounding a fluid center. When a disc herniates or ruptures, the fluid center bulges out from the center placing pressure on the nerve root. The pressure on the nerve root causes neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica, varying from mild to debilitating. Once again, as with spinal stenosis, the prognosis depends on the severity of the herniation or rupture, and degree of damage or possibility of damage to the surrounding area. A herniated disc, putting pressure on the nerve root, depending on the level affected, may express itself in myriad ways. In all cases in which pain presents itself for more than 48 to 72 hours, a medical practitioner should be consulted.

Age-progressive phenomena such as osteoarthritis, osteophytosis, and others will be discussed more completely in a subsequent article. However, many age-progressive phenomena are a consequence of a complex of issues related to aging, combined with muscle atrophy, due to a sedentary lifestyle, and our body's attempt to strengthen the primary and secondary curvatures of the spine. Because we stand erect, our secondary curvatures, those of the cervical and lumbar regions of the spine come under tremendous stress and pressure, particularly as we age and muscles weaken. The complex of weakening muscles, aging, and other factors leads to an adaptive response by the body, particularly by the spine, to strengthen an area under stress. Osteophyte bridges, also known as bone spurs or bony bridges, occur as an adaptive response to the weakening of muscles responsible for supporting the curvatures of the spine, particularly the secondary curvatures. Ultimately, this condition is avoidable, through a program of exercise and stretching to maintain those muscles, avoiding excess stress and pressure in the IVD and the vertebrae themselves.

Degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and even osteophytosis may be effectively dealt with by adding an individualized and intelligently maintained exercise and stretching program to your daily routine. Because there are so many factors involved in any pain complex, particularly when expressed as neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica, when unsure we should always defer to our medical practitioner. A pain reduction strategy that includes exercise, stretching, ice-compression braces, the proper shoes, orthotics for those times when soft-soled shoes are inappropriate and even anti-inflammatory medication may be more than adequate for most expressions of neck pain, back pain, and sciatica symptoms and/or expressions. Once again, should pain continue for more than 48 to 72 hours, individuals suffering from severe back pain and sciatica should see their medical practitioner.

Complications of Cervical Spondylosis You Should Avoid


spinal stenosis



When your reach old age, you face many medical conditions associated with it. Most of these conditions are only evident in old people as a result of the wear and tear of the body. One of these degenerative diseases found mostly in old people with the age of 70 is Cervical Spondylosis.

Cervical Spondylosis which is often referred to as cervical osteoarthritis or neck arthritis is a degenerative disease affecting the neck area. During its development, neck pain and stiffness is mostly noted. Headaches can also be disturbing, occurring from time to time. The pain is caused by the bulging intervertebral discs that had been worn out over the years. The bulging, on the other hand is due to the formation of osteophytes or bone spurs that had accommodated in the area to thicken the worn out and brittle discs.

When you are already suffering from Cervical Spondylosis, precautions should be done so as to avoid complications to occur. These complications may be detrimental to your health and will even require surgery as a necessary remedy. In order to avoid these complications, you should be familiar with its signs that may be evident at its early development.

Difficulty in swallowing or what is medically termed asdysphagia is one complication you should watch out. This happens when the enlarged vertebral discs compresses the esophageal wall. Some signs to take note are hoarse voice, chest tightness, dry cough, nausea and vomiting.

Visual obstructions which are manifested by eye pain; uneven pupil size along with tearing, decreased visual acuity and narrowing of vision field is another complication you should avoid. This complication can even lead to blindness when not address properly.

Another complication isparaplegia or the complete paralysis of the lower extremities of the body. This happens as a result of a severe spinal cord injury that may be caused by the prolapses in the intervertebral discs. Early signs you need to watch out are numbness and pain in both legs, feeling of ridding the clouds when walking and, bowel and bladder incontinence.

Chest pain is another danger sign and can even develop into Hypertension Cervical Spondylosis that is due to the sudden increase or decrease in blood pressure. High blood pressure is also referred to as neck hypertension.

Cataplexy, which is a complication characterized by sudden loss of muscle tone in times of intense emotions, is also noted in advanced cases of Cervical Spondylosis. This can be dangerous as the person showing this manifestation can immediately collapse anywhere without warning.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Back Pain Exercises - Find Relief From Sciatic Nerve Pain


spinal stenosis



Sciatic nerve pain is painful; the sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in the human body. Sciatic nerve pain can usually be felt from the lower back and through to the lower leg behind the knee. So what causes sciatica? Herniated discs will usually cause sciatic pain. The disc will press directly on the nerve, and if the nerve becomes inflamed or irritated in any way sciatic pain can result. There are also other reasons for sciatic nerve pain, bones, muscles, tumors and other injuries. Sciatic nerve pain usually feels like tingling from the lower back as well as a painful burning sensation, even numbness. Sciatica related pain can also make walking hard.

So how can sciatica be relieved? Sciatic pain can sometimes be helped by lying down on a heating pad. Doctors will often tell you that you rest are really the best treatment for sciatic nerve pain. Anti inflammatory and pain medicines as well as muscle relaxers. Some doctors may prescribe some anesthetics be injected into the actual site of the area of pain. Physical therapy and exercises that help develop core muscles. Some exercises that help sciatic pain caused by herniated discs are back extensions or press ups. These exercises move the muscles from the lower part of your body to the lower back. Exercises that help the pain due to spinal stenosis are bending exercises.

Any exercise that has a person bending down and flexing their lower spine will help this type of sciatic pain. Sufferers from degenerative disc disease can also suffer from sciatic nerve pain. This discomfort can also be relieved with certain exercises that train the spine and lumbar areas as well as the pelvic region. All of these exercises will help build a support system of muscles that will help hold the disc in place. When these measures do not work surgery is another option. There are several new ways to take care of the herniated disc as well as sciatic nerve issues with the least amount of invasive measures.

Sciatic Nerve pain is both painful and disturbing, it can cause a lot of difficulties in your life, but with a little patience and the right treatment, your pain will not be with you for very long.

Arthroscopic Spine Surgery


spinal stenosis



Arthroscopic spine surgery is a laser treatment done for spine disorders. This surgery is minimally invasive and requires only local anesthesia. The surgery procedure involves using a lot of fiber optic devices to examine the infected spine area. The procedure followed is completely outpatient and requires minimal incisions. Arthroscopic spine surgery is done by making a small incision through which a small tube is entered to test the damaged parts.

Extra tubes are entered through the same incision, and the last inserted tube has a diameter of 18mm. The operating surgeon moves out all the other inserted tubes once the last inserted tube is placed in right position. Gradually enlarging the tubes will make the muscles and skin to enlarge with reduced trauma. The surgery is performed by the last inserted tube, through which the surgeon insert the fiber optic lasers and camera to perform the operation.

Arthroscopic spine surgery is of four main types. They are foraminotomy, laminotomy, percutaneous arthroscopic discectomy, and facet thermal ablation. Foraminotomy is a treatment done for sciatica, spinal arthritis, bone spurs, foraminal stenosis, pinched nerves, nerve root compression, scar tissue, and herniated discs. This procedure is done to remove the tissue and bone that compresses the spinal root.

Laminotomy procedure is done for treating spinal arthritis, bone spurs, pinched nerves, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, scar tissue, and ligamantum flavum removal. This procedure helps in removing a lamina section, a plate that covers nerves and spinal canal on every vertebra. The main aim of this surgery is to create more space around the spinal cord and to decrease the pressure created on the nerves.

Percutaneous arthroscopic discectomy is a treatment for herniated discs and spinal bulging. In this procedure, the bulging and herniated disc is removed to reduce the compression on the spine and nerves. The laser used in this treatment evaporates the affected part. Facet thermal ablation is a treatment for facet degeneration, facet joint syndrome, facet arthritis, and facet hypertrophy. This surgery blunts the pain causing nerves.

Arthroscopy is a highly streamlined treatment for spinal disorders. Thus, this treatment helps in gentle handling of tissue and skin near the affected area. The incision made is small, and so it does not leave any trace of operation. The recovery rate is faster than the traditional spine treatment and the surgery takes only 45 minutes on an average. The success rate of this surgery is more than 90 percent and before this treatment the patients should consult with their physician about any medication.

The Benefits of Cervical Spinal Decompression Treatment


spinal stenosis



Spinal decompression treatment was FDA cleared back in 1996. Over the past 15 years its popularity has been rising as it represents an excellent alternative to surgery. The cost of spinal decompression is less than 5% of the cost of surgery, and the risk profile is very low.

How does it work? The popularity for spinal decompression initially was for low back pain, however, as the years have gone by it's been showing considerably good results for neck pain. The science behind spinal decompression works the same for both cervical and lumbar.

Spinal decompression involves intermittent traction with an attachment on the machine which pulls underneath the mastoid process on each side of the neck. It's very comfortable and gentle - a lot of patients fall asleep on the table. The intermittent nature of the traction prevents the neck paraspinal muscles from going into spasm. As the traction works, it creates a negative pressure within the disc itself. This allows for an increased blood flow into the disc, bringing with it increased oxygen and nutrients.

This can help dramatically with degenerative disc disease along with herniated discs. It may allow the disc pressure to be alleviated off of the nerve root being compressed, and the pinched nerve may no longer be pinched.

In addition, the intermittent traction may allow relief from spinal stenosis, which is where multiple nerve roots are compressed from arthritis and bony/soft tissue overgrowth. This relief may last for quite a few months.

Treatment sessions last between 20 and 60 minutes. Patients often fall asleep during treatment, but it doesn't mean it's not working. For the lumbar region, research shows that it works well over 75% of the time. A typical length of therapy lasts for 20 sessions over a period of 6 to seven weeks.

The risk of an adverse event from spinal decompression is very very low. It is non surgical, non interventional, and non forceful.

Spinal decompression is often performed in conjunction with other pain management treatments. These may include chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, acupuncture, interferential treatment, ice, heat, along with treatment from a pain management doctor.

Pain management treatment will depend on the patient's symptoms, signs, and what the imaging studies show. It may include epidural injections, facet blocks, possibly subsequent radiofrequency ablation. Along with spinal decompression therapy, patients have a very good chance of avoiding surgery while being able to return to work, socializing, and doing things like playing with kids and pets.

Everything You Need to Know About Spinal Cord Arthritis


spinal stenosis



The biggest challenges faced by patients, researchers and physicians are the distinction of unusual diseases. As a matter of fact, it is often heard from mass media that scientists are researching on the cancer treatment. However, it needs to be mentioned that there are different forms of cancer which include colon cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer to name a few. Each kinds of this disease comprises of various treatments and symptoms. Hence, these diseases are in need of different cures. In the same manner, there are numerous variants of the disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, reactive and psoriatic arthritis. The other variety of it is the spinal cord arthritis.

Spinal stenosis or spinal cord arthritis comprises of the backbone narrowing and its manifestation with the strain on the spinal cord and on the roots of the nerves as well. Spinal cord arthritis mainly attacks the three regions of the spine, namely, the gaps between the spine's bones from which the nerves leaves the spine and then extends towards the other parts of the body, nerve base canal which expands from the spinal cord and also those tubes in the centre column of the bones from where the base of the spinal cord and the root moves ahead. This tapering includes either a tiny section or a huge section of the spine. A spinal cord arthritis sufferer is likely to feel lack of feeling or pains in the shoulders, legs or neck.

The Age Factor: Most of the sufferers of spinal cord arthritis include men and women above fifty years of age. However, younger people who may have had some sort of spinal damage also tend to suffer from spinal cord arthritis. Apart from this, those people born with a spinal channel contraction are also wrecked by the disease.

In case the area in the spinal channel is narrowed, the patients of spinal cord arthritis may not show any symptoms. However, if such contraction result in a stress to the spinal cord or nerve roots then symptoms of spinal arthritis such as weakness, aches in arms and legs, lack of sensation and spasms may occur. In addition, in case the narrowed region of the spine pressurizes along the base of the nerve, then the sufferers may get soreness on their legs. Such people need to undertake strengthening exercises, sitting, lower back stretching and bending exercises.

Most Recommended Treatments:

When a spinal cord arthritis sufferer does not experience deterioration or remarkable nerve connections, the following treatments could be recommended:-

Spinal cord arthritis patients need to exercise or undergo physical therapy for increasing the stamina, strengthening the stomach muscles and the back with continuous motion of the spine. This would lead to a more secure spine. Another option on the cards would be aerobic activity. Apart from that, there are corticosteroid injections which can be injected in the innermost membranes that cover the spinal cord and nerves for lessening the inflammation and treating the spiky pain which spreads till the hips and the legs.

These patients can also embark on the regular intake of anti-inflammatory medicines devoid of steroids which includes various prescriptions of ibuprofen such as Mortin, Nuprinl, Advil and aspirin for reducing the aches and lowering the swelling. Apart from that, spinal cord arthritis patients can also look forward to restrict their activity depending on the condition of their nerves. Intake of analgesics such as Tylenol for reducing the pain, anesthetic injections which are also called as nerve blocks can be opted for temporary reduction of pain to the nearby affected nerves.

In case, if all the non-persistent cure procedures fail to alleviate the suffering of the spinal cord arthritis patients, then the best option is to go under the knife. The main objective involved behind such procedures is the lessening of the pressure of the nerves or the spinal cord and also the restoration and sustenance of the vigorousness and arrangement of the spine.

Till date, spinal cord arthritis has remained one of the most devastating variant of the disease from which people can suffer. Luckily, researchers and physicians have continued to improve the treatment for the mitigation of pain of the sufferers.

How to Treat Sciatica Naturally - 8 Tips to Natural Treatment of Sciatic Nerve Pain


spinal stenosis



There are ways to treat sciatica naturally, but in order to understand them, you need to understand the very nature of sciatica itself.

The term sciatica refers to numbness, pain, tingling or weakness felt in the legs (usually in just one) and is caused by compression or injury to the sciatic nerve. Sensations usually start slowly and may get worse during the following instances:

  • at night

  • after sitting or standing

  • when laughing

  • coughing or sneezing

  • when bending backwards

  • walking a longer distance

Symptoms can also be felt on the calves and soles of the feet. These symptoms are related to another medical issue and are not a condition all on their own. The pain from sciatica can widely vary and can be so intense to cause someone not to be able to move. Sciatica occurs typically as a result of:

  • herniation of the spinal disc

  • sacroiliac joint dysfunction

  • spinal stenosis

  • Piriformis syndrome

  • pregnancy

Because sciatica is a result of being a symptom of another condition, it should be treated after the underlying cause has been identified. Conservative treatment is normally most effective.

Drugs can be toxic for the body, even if prescribed, especially once the body gets adjusted to them. Usually the moment medication is stopped, the pain returns.

The following are ways to treat sciatica naturally that are safe, fast, effective and can be performed at home to reduce symptoms and inflammation:

  1. Apply ice or heat to the sore area. Begin treating with ice for 48-72 hours and then switch to heat.

  2. Take pain relievers that are over-the-counter, such as Tylenol, Advil or Motrin IB

  3. When sleeping, lay in a curled-up position with a pillow between the legs. If you lay on your back, place a rolled towel or pillow underneath the knees.

  4. Drink plenty of fresh vegetable juice that is made from carrots, celery and potatoes. Both celery and potatoes are natural medicines used to relieve pain. The carrots make it more palatable.

  5. Relax the sciatic nerve with a poultice made of fresh minced horseradish. Leave this mixture on the area for a least an hour, two or three times a day.

  6. Use a hot water on the affected area. This will increase sleep quality and relax muscles and nerves. The body's natural heat will keep the bottle warm throughout the night.

  7. Stretch every day. Pilates, yoga, massage and Tai Chi are ways to treat and prevent sciatica.

  8. Swim. Swimming naturally relieves the pressure that is placed on the sciatic nerve. Keeping the body fit and flexible treats and prevents sciatica.

In following the eight steps above, you can be well on your way to treat sciatica naturally, giving yourself the freedom to do all you want and need -- without being a slave to the excruciating sciatic nerve pain commonly associated with it.

3 Steps to Eliminate Sciatica


spinal stenosis



Sciatica is now officially one of the most common forms of lower back pain. Over 80% of adults suffer from back pain at some stage. Sciatica is the one form that people fear the most.

Sciatica can be a debilitating condition where movement and day to day life is painful. The pain radiates down the leg to the foot if severe, it creates a sickening type pain that affects you emotionally as much as it does physically.

Although most of you will have heard the horror stories of how sciatica is caused by disc injuries, spinal stenosis or other major lower back pain issues. In fact - less than 10% of sciatic nerve irritation is created by these conditions. Most sciatic nerve irritation comes from 3 simple processes.

Correcting these 3 processes gives you the 3 steps to sciatica relief.

Step One: The sciatic nerve is formed from five nerve roots exiting the lower back region. If the lower back joints or muscles are irritated then sciatica may develop.

Step one is therefore to balance the lower back, which can be simply performed by using stretches and joint techniques for the area.

Step Two: The pelvis is the foundation for the spine. If the pelvis is distorted then sciatica occurs. You can notice pelvic distortion by having your pelvis at different heights, twisted, leg length changes or shoulder twisting. These all indicate pelvic distortion which will irritate the sciatic nerve.

Step two therefore requires you to correct the pelvic alignment and ease pressure off the sciatic nerve.

Step Three: probably the easiest and most common irritant to the sciatic nerve - the Piriformis muscle. As the sciatic nerve runs through the Piriformis muscle, when it tightens sciatica develops quickly.

Step three is essential to eliminate sciatica and maintain permanent sciatica relief. Sciatica stretching should incorporate the Piriformis muscle, and stretching should be three times each day, with one session just prior to bed. If you stretch the muscle and then use it (walking, lifting or general activity) the benefit of the stretch disappears. Stretching if done before bed will relax the muscle and then sleep helps to maintain this relaxed position for a longer period of time.

Sciatica stretching of the Piriformis muscle is essential for sciatica relief.

You may now be asking - how do you perform steps one, two and three. These 3 steps to eliminate sciatica can be performed at home in your own time easily. Self help sciatica relief will help the 90% of people who have common sciatica. Those with the more severe conditions will need professional help, although using these 3 steps of sciatica relief will create benefit.

For more in depth details of these 3 steps to Sciatica Relief, visit the Back Pain Advisor and view their web pages on Sciatica, Sciatica Relief and Sciatica Stretching.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

The Best Home Remedies for Cervical Spondylosis


spinal stenosis



Most people in their old age suffer from a degenerative condition known as Cervical Spondylosis. This disease is characterized by the wear and tear which affects the bones, joints and discs of the neck. This condition usually occurs more in men rather than women. In recent studies, the disease had also been associated with sedentary lifestyle.

Cervical Spondylosis is often caused by a combination of factors including old age, genetics, sleeping positions and again, sedentary lifestyle. What happens during the development of spondylosis is that the vertebral discs thicken in response to preventing the spinal bones from fusion. Bone spurs, or most commonly known as osteocytes are responsible for this development. When the discs increase in size, the risk for developing slipped discs and spinal nerve compression that are responsible for neck pains also increases. Recurring neck pains are the primary indication of a developing Cervical Spondylosis.

Upon diagnosis of Cervical Spondylosis, patients have several treatment options to stop the condition from developing further. One of these treatment options is home remedies that had been found to be effective by actual patients who have been using these in their own homes.

Garlic is one of the best remedy that is readily available in your home. You can opt to buy capsulated garlic for your consumption of at least two capsules a day. For a more natural approach, you can eat 2-3 garlic cloves in the morning. Garlic oil can also relieve neck pain. You can make your own garlic oil preparation by frying ten (10) garlic cloves in 60 grams of oil. Let the garlic oil cool and apply it in the affected area of the neck. A warm bath is recommended after the oil application. You can repeat this remedy for fifteen (15) consecutive days.

Lemon juice has also been approved by doctors as one of the effective homeopathic remedies for Cervical Spondylosis. A quick relief can be achieved by consuming lemon juice with a sprinkle of rock salt, thrice daily. Eating Chebulic myrobalan can also help alleviate the condition. It is advisable that the fruit should be consumed after meals.

Massaging the neck can also be effective for ease of Cervical Spondylosis. Using aromatic massage oil containing lavender is a great idea. Massage the affected area with the oil until you can no longer feel the strain in the neck. Remember not to bend or lean forward for most of the time to avoid the pain from occurring again.

Herniated Disc Back Pain


spinal stenosis



Herniated disc back pain is a dreaded occurrence for many dorsopathy sufferers. The actual words "herniated disc" are enough to cause anxiety and worry over possible agony, surgery and disability. In reality, the spinal disc is a much maligned structure, rarely responsible for the plethora of painful conditions typically blamed on it. This is due to the extremely common nature of disc bulges and ruptures, as well as the universality of disc degeneration.

Herniated discs can occur anywhere in the spine, but are usually found at either end. The cervical spine, also known as the neck, is an area which must bend and flex constantly, as well as hold up the significant weight of the head. The discs in the neck wear out fast from all this movement and degenerative disc disease is often diagnosed in one or more vertebral levels by the age of 30 and sometimes much younger. The lumbar spine, also known as the lower back, is the most common location for degenerative disc disease to occur and these age and activity related changes are usually in effect by the age of 20, especially at L4/L5 and L5/S1. Herniated discs are also common in both of these spinal regions and can occur from injury, normal degeneration or idiopathic reasons.

Herniated discs are thought to create pain in several possible ways. The most common is called foraminal stenosis, also known as a pinched nerve. This condition exists when a bulging or ruptured disc puts pressure on one of the spinal nerve roots which exit the spinal column at every vertebral level. While this situation can occur, it is very rare, since the disc would have to completely close off the neuroforaminal opening under extreme pressure in order to compress the nerve sufficiently. Furthermore, even when this rare event does happen, continued compression of the nerve root will result in absolute lack of sensation. This is objective numbness, not the subjective numbness often experienced by many patients. Additionally, there will be no pain or tingling, although real muscular weakness in the area served by the pinched nerve is likely.

The next possible source of herniated disc back pain is due to spinal stenosis. This is diagnosed when the disc applies pressure to the actual spinal cord, narrowing the spinal canal through which the cord passes. Many cases of spinal stenosis are completely asymptomatic, while occasionally, this condition can be a real problem. The most symptomatic instances of spinal stenosis exist when bone spurs (osteophytes) are the source of the narrowed canal and most disc bulges simply do not create any noticeable effect on the cord.

The third way that herniated disc back pain may be explained is from chemical radiculitis. This is when the proteins from the interior of the disc bleed out of the damaged disc structure and irritate surrounding nerve tissue. This is a controversial diagnosis and is not openly accepted in many medical sectors. It seems that if this condition does indeed exist, it only affects some people with particularly sensitive nerve tissue, since many people suffer severe ruptures and experience no pain at all.

The last possible explanation for disc related back pain is the unusual diagnosis of discogenic pain. In this condition, the damaged disc is said to be the actual source of discomfort, which makes little sense, since intervertebral discs do not have nerves or even a dedicated blood supply. Instead, they are nourished through the cartilaginous end plates which attach the discs to the surrounding upper and lower vertebral bones. Some doctors believe it is the tiny nerves in these endplates which are painful, but that seems highly unlikely, since most patients report pain which is far too great and widespread to be sourced from such tiny and anatomically limited neurological tissues.

In the end, most patients do not enjoy relief from a wide range of conservative treatments or even surgeries directed at herniated discs and degenerative disc disease. This has nothing at all to do with the talent of the doctor or the method of treatment. Instead, therapy fails since the diagnosis is completely wrong. Statistics show that herniated discs are often completely asymptomatic and even those which do cause trouble usually resolve with or without treatment in 6 to 8 weeks. Disc conditions are almost never the real reason for chronic back pain. Once you understand this simple fact, it is easy to see why the condition has such a treatment-resistant reputation... It is not that the damage to the spine is so great; it is instead that the pain is being blamed on a complete innocent and coincidental spinal scapegoat.

Lower Back Arthritis - Lumbar Spine Pain Problems - Symptoms, Treatment and Remedies For Discomfort


spinal stenosis



Do you suffer from arthritis pain in your lower back?

Do you want to honestly do something about it?

1.) Introduction

There is little doubt among people that your back is a complex structure that is composed of bones, muscles and tissue all working together. The lumbar aspect of your spine, where pain is commonly felt, supports the weight of the rest of your back (meaning your mid and upper back). Unfortunately, back pain, one of the most common everyday pain problems can be difficult to treat.

People who suffer from arthritis in their lower back (lumbar spine) are commonly those individuals that are older. However, arthritis in the lower back can be seen in many different age groups. Typically, patient's who are at an increased risk for having lumbar spine arthritis include:

  • older individuals

  • obese persons

  • heavy laborers who use their backs

  • those individuals that have previous back problems

2.) Where Does Arthritis Effect The Spine?

Arthritis of the lower back (lumbar spine area) happens in the joints that connect each spinal segment together. We are referring to the vertebrae when we say "spinal segments". Your vertebrae are actually connected in three separate locations. They are connected in front of the spinal cord and behind the spinal cord the vertebrae (back bones) are joined by two small joints. These are referred to as facet joints. Each vertebrae is separated vertically by a spinal disc. All of these components work together to allow you movements such as bending, flexing, extending or moving from sided to side and twists.

3.) Arthritic Facets

When your facet joints are effected by arthritis, the spinal movements that you make can cause you pain. You may also feel stiff at the same time. Typically you will see lumbar spine arthritis accompanied by disc degeneration and / or spinal stenosis.

4.) Disc Degeneration & Spinal Stenosis

Just like anything else, time can wear out portions of the spine. Your discs are no different. Things can be done to help treat the pain, but your discs will many times be degenerating if you also have facet arthritis. - Spinal stenosis can also accompany facet arthritis. Stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal that houses the spinal cord. Symptoms of spinal stenosis may include: leg pain, numbness or tingling in one of your extremities. You may also suffer from difficulty with walking.

5.) Back Support

One great way to help reduce back pain is to consider using a low profile and light weight back support. These are often times well concealed by just using a t-shirt! - They can help promote healing of an injured spine and can also help to reduce pain due to an arthritic lumbar spine. Although arthritis can cause a lot of problems for people, these supports can help to reduce related pains and stiffness. If you are serious about pain relief you should check one out today.

Why Does Prolonged Sitting Cause So Much Back Pain?


spinal stenosis



As this question stands, the position of sitting should not cause back pain; providing you do not sit in the same position for very long time, or you will begin to feel discomfort either your back or in your buttocks.

This is because your body is designed for movement, so if you do not move after a few minutes; then you will start to feeling uncomfortable in some parts of your body.

It does not mean that you have to keep getting up and sitting down. All your body is asking for is a slight adjustment or movement in your buttocks, so that the area you are sitting on is replenished with saturated oxygen fluid, or these cells will die.

Sitting in one position is known as prolonged sitting and has become an area of particular interest to many people, who sit all day in their productive employment. They are finding that sitting at a computer for extended periods of time is causing them considerable pain and discomforts.

All these people need to understand that they cannot sit for prolonged periods of time without moving. If they do not move, their body will inform them through discomforts in their buttock or spine that they need movement.

Our bodies are not designed to be statues, but we are a living organism that constantly needs movement for keeping us alive, active and healthy for survival in daily living.

In essence our body is a very sophisticated machine that coordinates all areas for rest and activity, so that we can remain alive and active for as long as possible for a comfortable quality of life.

This is how simple life is, but there seems to be serious lack of understanding about we need to move our bodies for different positions.

When we change from an upright standing position to sitting in a chair, the dynamics of our movement changes. Our body's center of gravity is no longer in the center of our feet, but is now through our pelvic bones when we sit in a chair.

The pelvic bones bones are attached to the base of our spine. You can put hands on one, on each side of your middle below your waist. If you have gained some weight, you may find this difficult to feel under the fat, but they are still there.

The pelvic bones are shaped like a triangle and if you sit on your pelvic bones, you should feel their lowest point of the pelvic bone as you lean back; so that your full upper body weight goes down your spine and into both pelvic bones.

This is your center of gravity for your body in sitting. When you are sitting on your pelvic bones, your spine is vertically straight and no muscles in your abdomen are being used to hold it upright.

Using this pelvic position for prolonged sitting is called the neutral position and is the best position that you can possibly use when sitting in a chair, for any type of productive sitting.

There are many other professionals, such as ergonomic specialist and chiropractors, who want you to sit more forwards, so that you need to purchase equipment for making you more comfortable. This is not necessary, as there is no harm in sitting in the neutral position.

Common Chiropractic Equipment


spinal stenosis



Ever wonder what that machine you see in the chiropractor's office is? How about what the table you lie on is called? The machines in the chiropractor's office are all designed to solve your many back ailments. As high tech and intimidating as the machines seem, they are really quite fascinating to understand. In this article there will be several machines listed that are common in chiropractic office. We will also tell you what they do and how they work. Hopefully next time you go into the chiropractic office you will have a better feel for what is being done to your back.

Computerized Traction Tables

Computerized Traction Tables are non-surgical devices that relieve back and neck pain that is caused by pressure put on the spine. The table stretches, pulls, and relaxes the different parts of the spine. Older traction machines would sometimes pull too quickly and cause uncomfortable or ineffective pain relief. The computerized table, however, is slow and can be controlled much easier than its ancestors. So what is it doing to you? The patient is strapped in to this machine and it will slowly reach enough tension or "pull" that the pressure on the disc will be released. The machine decreases the pull in smaller and smaller increments to release all of the pressure without harming the patient. The reasons for spinal decompression include regaining normal length and alignment of the spinal cord, to lessen or eliminate muscle spasms, and to relieve pressure on nerves (especially spinal).

BioDex Balance System

The BioDex Balance System is designed to improve balance, increase agility, and develop muscle tone. This system allows for patients to do training in both static and dynamic formats. Among the wide variety of training methods this system offers are, postural stability training, maze control training, weight shifting training, random control training, limits of stability training, and percentage weight bearing training. The machine features a moving plate that patients stand on. The plate shuffles in different ways depending on the training needed. Through repeated exposure, muscles and coordination are built. With focus on the knees, ankles, hips, and lower back this machine will improve coordination, balance and muscle within 6 to 8 weeks for most patients.

Free Motion Dual Cable Cross

The Free Motion Dual Cable Cross might be a mouthful to say but is a machine you are likely familiar with if you have been in a gym. This machine has two cables that can be positioned in a variety of directions depending on what you want to work out. You then assign weight to the cables and pull away. With twelve vertical and nine horizontal settings, this machine can essentially cover any movement pattern. While common in gyms for simple weight-lifting, a skilled chiropractor uses these for rehabilitation and movement training.

Power Plate

The Power Plate is a vibration machine used at some chiropractic practices. By using unique acceleration technology it stimulates the brain's natural response to vibration. If you remember the 80s there were vibration machines that used bands to "rub away the fat". Power Plates use the vibration in a different way. By standing on the plate, doing regular exercises, the vibration intensifies the muscle strain and creates a stronger workout in less time. Additionally, the unstable feel of standing on the plate generates coordination and balance benefits. This can also be accomplished by the much less safe method of working out in an earthquake.

Medical machinery includes many of the most intimidating machines we regular folk ever have to interact with. Having an understanding of what these devices do makes it easier to step into/on/around them and start reaping the benefits of human ingenuity. So, when you next walk into your chiropractor's office, take a look around and see if there are any machines you might recognize. Hopefully knowing how it works will make it a little less creepy.

Complications of Cervical Spondylosis


spinal stenosis



Our surroundings are full of busy people. You usually work from morning until night (and worst, until dawn) just to earn a living. Oftentimes, you forgot to take good care of your body. You tend to push yourself to the limit even if your body is telling you to stop. When your body cries, you neglect it. You might think that mild to moderate pain, such as headache, neck pain and body aches are simple. But, it's not all the time. Take for example Cervical Spondylosis.

Cervical Spondylosis is the injury directed to the neck's vertebrae and is due to the aging process. It commonly affects older people from ages 55 and above. This spinal dysfunction often occurs with osteoarthritis. The progressive damage augments along with time. Symptoms like stiffness and pain in the neck exacerbate as the deterioration of cervical joints continues. Its symptoms might be so common that you often grin and bear it. However, its complications will not only make you suffer temporarily but in worst cases, permanently.

The damage to the neck bones can exert tension on the roots of the spinal nerves. This leads to a condition called cervical radiculopathy. In cervical radiculopathy, various symptoms can arise depending on the affected nerves. Possible symptoms you will experience include weakness, tingling and numbness of the lower extremities, walking difficulties, atypical spinal reflexes, loss of bowel or bladder control and general absence of coordination. Because of nerve compression, spinal nerves, which make your muscles move, are unable to stimulate the muscles anymore to contract. The pain felt can be compared to an electric shock, and aggravates with sneezing or coughing or even with movements involving the spine.

In another condition, the vertebrae's structure changes and bone spurs blocks the space surrounding the spinal cord. This condition is called spinal stenosis. As narrowing of the spinal cord space occurs, damages to the spinal cord also begin to surface, leading to another condition called cervical myelopathy. Cervical myelopathy, like cervical radiculopathy, can cause you those tingling sensations and pain felt in the chest, legs and shoulders. You might also experience loss of control or weakness in the upper and lower extremities.

Your chance of having cervical myelopathy and radiculopathy increases with continuing injury to the spinal column (cervical vertebrae). You may become too powerless to walk and may even experience difficulty in performing your activities of daily living due to the pain felt with Cervical Spondylosis. You can suffer temporarily from these symptoms. However, there is also a big possibility that you can experience this condition permanently.

If you are experiencing a simple neck pain for some time now, try to consider visiting your doctor the soonest. What you think as just a simple neck pain may already be something else such as Cervical Spondylosis.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Treatment for Spondylolisthesis


spinal stenosis



Have you been diagnosed with spondylolisthesis?

Spondylolisthesis is a low back condition which often begins in adolescence. It starts with a stress fracture of one of the vertebrae of your low back.

One of my cases involved a 16-year old boy who played baseball. Every time he swung the bat and missed (which, of course, happens a lot of the time) his low back would end up in an extreme twisted position. Over the months, his bones couldn't take it, and a stress fracture resulted.

Spondylolisthesis is also relatively more common in young dancers and gymnasts who repeatedly bend backward.

Sometimes the fracture of spondylolisthesis will cause pain, but often the discomfort will go away fairly quickly without treatment. If it does, you may not even know you have spondylolisthesis.

Unfortunately, the stress fracture allows for instability of spinal alignment. Over the years, with further deterioration of the discs and other supporting ligaments, the vertebra can slide forward relative to the bone below. Then symptoms of pain, movement restriction, and nerve impingement can occur.

One of the standard ways to diagnose spondylolisthesis is with conventional low back Xrays. In addition to side and front-back views, a diagonal (oblique) X-ray view can zero in on the exact location of the vertebral arch fracture.

MRI's can also be used in diagnosis.

If your forward slippage continues to get worse, or you begin to experience nerve impingement as a result of spondylolisthesis, you may even require surgery to stabilize your low back.

But it need not be that way. Many adults with spondylolisthesis have no symptoms whatever, and their condition is only diagnosed by chance.

What's the secret to avoiding spondylolisthesis-related problems?

Proper exercise and postural awareness are key.

The problem is that the wrong exercises - or even the right exercise done the wrong way - can make your problem worse.

Abdominal support of the spine to maintain a neutral spinal alignment is all-important. The simplest exercise to strengthen your abdominal support is the plank pose. Begin by holding the pose for 30 seconds, making sure your back is straight.

If your abdominals ae out of shape and holding for 30 seconds is a challenge, begin with 10 seconds repeated three times. Ultimately you'll develop the strength to hold the pose for 30 seconds.

Once you can maintain straight alignment in the plank pose for 30-90 seconds, you can advance to a more difficult variation, such as placing your feet on a low bench so that your trunk is angle downward.

Avoid sit-ups, curl-ups or crunches - they can actually put more stress on your discs and make your condition worse.

You do want to maintain full range of motion of the spine. You can do this with variations of the cat or dog pose. But avoid prolonged or extreme forward bending, such as in bending forward to touch your toes. And too many downward-facing dogs in yoga class could backfire.

Similarly, extreme or prolonged backward bending could also create problems. Even the simple cobra pose might allow an opportunity for forward vertebral slippage. Instead, perform a backward bending pose while lying on your back. That way, gravity will tend to pull the offending bone backward, instead of allowing it to slip further forward.

If you have tight hip flexors, they might tend to drag your low back forward, making your spondylolisthesis worse. It's important to stretch your hip flexors, but you have to perform the stretch while avoiding backward-arching (extension) of your low back. That's hard to describe briefly - but I've got specific pictures of a safe way to stretch your hip flexors available in my downloadable Doctors' Guide to Spondylolisthesis.

Many people with spondylolisthesis leave a fully active life without pain or other limitation. By following a few simple precautions you can join them.

Common Sleeping Positions


spinal stenosis



To get the best out of your daily rest, you should have proper blood circulation during your sleep. There are a number of sleeping positions that you might find comfortable and at the same time promotes proper blood flow. Having a correct sleeping position would prevent that stiffness and soreness you might experience during mornings.

A proper sleeping position can effectively relieve you of any strains from your back. If you are frequently experiencing headaches when you wake up, changing your sleeping position might just do the trick.

Sleeping on one's side is one of the most common sleeping positions. This is done with the legs slightly drawn near the chest area. Make sure that your neck and spine are properly aligned. Always sleep on your right side, otherwise sleeping on your left side would cause stress on your vital organs (liver, stomach, lungs). Most people stuff in a pillow between their legs while in this position. The pillow would support your knees and take off any pressure on your lower back. Sleeping on one's side can help people with osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis or those who suffer from spinal and hip problems.

Sleeping on your back is also another position you can try. This is done with a pillow placed beneath your knees to help maintain the natural curve of your lower back. The pillow should not be too high and should have just the right thickness to fit the space between the surface of your bed and your limbs. This position is best for people with low back pains. It also allows internal organs to rest well.

You can also sleep on your abdomen. Although some health experts attest that this sleeping position would strain your neck, head and lower back, it is advisable for people who suffer from degenerative disc disease. You can minimize the strain by tucking a pillow underneath your lower abdomen and/ or pelvis. You can either use a pillow under your head or do without one.

Mattresses, pillows and recliners also play a big role in promoting a good sleep. If changing your sleeping positions did not improve your backache and muscle pains, then try to invest on quality sleeping supplies and monitor any improvement.

Yoga Techniques for Spinal Stenosis


spinal stenosis



Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal column that puts pressure on the spinal cord, or narrowing of the openings where spinal nerves leave the spinal column. The condition typically occurs with age, as a person's spinal disks become drier and begin to shrink. Symptoms include numbness, cramping, or pain in the back, thighs, buttocks or calves, neck, shoulders, or arms.

Unfortunately, arm or leg weakness, and difficulty walking, are common with spinal stenosis. If left untreated, the condition can result in bone spurs and severe debilitation, including complete loss of mobility.

The best cure for spinal stenosis is, of course, prevention: regular Yoga practice insures continued flexibility and strengthens core muscles, which help reduce pressure on the spine. However, if the condition has already occurred, there are several poses, which are very effective for addressing spinal stenosis.

Hatha Yoga postures (asanas) that lengthen the spine and relieve pressure on the nerves are recommended for pain relief. On the other hand, those asanas that compact the nerves, like backbends, are contraindicated. Some excellent Yoga poses for sufferers of back pain include:

• Mountain pose or Tadasana

• Staff pose or Dandasana

• Downward Dog or Adho Mukha Svanasana

• Happy Baby pose or Ananda Balasana

• Bound Angle pose or Baddha Konasana

• Half Spinal Twist or Ardha Matsyendrasana

Additionally, any Yoga posture that is a form of an active back extension should reduce or eliminate pain. One example is: the Forward Bend (Uttanasana), which can be modified by a competent Yoga teacher.

Warming up the muscles properly is important for people with spinal stenosis. It must be remembered that rushing into exercise can aggravate the condition. Poses should be held for 60-90 seconds, and then the body should gently relax. Spending time in Shavasana, at the conclusion of each practice, is very important, to relax the muscles and allow the spinal column to settle into its increased length. For those following an Ayurvedic diet, pitta-stimulating foods should be avoided, with a condition such as spinal stenosis. These include spicy, pungent, sour, salty, hot, light, or oily foods, and some fruits and vegetables.

Yoga, as an intervention for spinal stenosis, is so effective that in February 2011, Dr. Anand Gandhi, a physician at the Laser Spine Institute in Scottsdale, AZ, published an article on "Yoga and the Aging Spine," detailing the benefits of Yoga therapy for an aging spine as it "promotes a full range of motion, restores flexibility, and improves circulation."

Given that surgery for spinal deterioration is the most common treatment for advanced cases, advocacy from a physician in a surgery clinic is praise, indeed. It must be understood that there are times when surgery is the only option. Yet, even in these cases, Yoga can be a good adjunct therapy, before or after, surgery.

穢 Copyright 2011 - Aura Wellness Center - Publications Division

Herniated Disc Diagnosis


spinal stenosis



Herniated discs are one of the most common of all spinal abnormalities blamed for causing potentially severe and chronic back pain in multitudes of suffering patients each year. While herniations can be problematic in the short term for a minority of patients, they are rarely responsible for causing the long term or excruciating pain that is inherent to their fearsome reputation.

Herniated discs are the most common of all spinal irregularities. They are diagnosed in untold numbers of people, both with and without back pain. Herniations have become the bread and butter of the back pain industry and even enjoy a plethora of colorful nomenclature attached to their diagnosis. The most common terms associated with disc pathologies include: disc herniation, bulging disc, ruptured disc, prolapsed disc, disc protrusion, slipped disc, collapsed disc and degenerated disc. While these terminologies might have some circumstantial differences to some care providers, they are often used interchangeably, much to the confusion of the affected patient.

Herniated discs are theorized to create back pain through several distinct processes. The most common of these causations is called foraminal stenosis. This condition is often termed a pinched nerve. Foraminal stenosis occurs when a herniation bulges into the neuroforaminal opening, impinging on the nerve root exiting the spine at that vertebral level. While this process can indeed exist, it is diagnosed far more often than it truly occurs. In order for the herniated disc to significantly affect the neurological functionality of the nerve root, the neuroforamen would have to be almost completely sealed off, which is a very rare event. This diagnosis is commonly made even when there is no evidence that the herniation even touches the nerve root in question; forget about actually compressing it...

Spinal stenosis is the second most common disorder blamed on herniated discs. Spinal stenosis describes a condition in which the herniation pushes against the actual spinal cord or cauda equina, limiting full neurological functionality from the entire spinal structure. Spinal stenosis can be a very serious problem and might lead to such devastating symptoms as cauda equina syndrome. Once again however, the diagnosis of spinal stenosis from a bulging disc is made very often, while the actual condition rarely ever exists, except in cases of extreme spinal trauma. Typically, the herniated disc might come in contact with the membrane surrounding the spinal cord and spinal fluid. A disc bulge touching this membrane does not mean that any effect will be passed along to the neurological function of the spinal cord. In fact, many herniations impinge on the thecal sac completely unknown to an affected person, since the disc condition creates no symptoms whatsoever.

Chemical radiculitis is a less typical diagnosis commonly associated with severe annular tears in the outer disc wall or complete disc ruptures. The interior of the intervertebral disc (called the nucleus pulposus) contains proteins which might cause nerve irritation in some individuals. When the nucleus spills out of the disc structure, this protein can affect local nerve tissue, enacting radicular pain in the immediate area and the regions of the body served by the irritated nerve structure. This is a somewhat controversial diagnosis, since many people experience full disc ruptures, yet have no pain at all. It seems that only some people might be sensitive enough to suffer from considerable lasting pain after a chemical radiculitis event occurs.

Finally, discogenic pain is the last and least common of all diagnoses. Discogenic means that the pain comes from the disc structure itself. While the disc has no nerve endings or blood supply of its own, it is attached to the neighbor vertebrae by cartilaginous endplates which do contain tiny nerves. It is these small nerves which are implicated in discogenic pain conditions, although most doctors who make the diagnosis are not always sure why the nerves hurt to begin with. This diagnosis is certainly on very shaky ground in most instances...

Ironically, although herniated discs are blamed for a tremendous amount of pain, they are rarely the actual symptomatic source. Most disc herniations are merely coincidental to any pain experienced and actually exist in a vast number of people who have no pain at all. Generally, herniations due to trauma will most likely cause pain for a short time, although this discomfort might be severe. Luckily, this condition usually resolves in 6 to 8 weeks, even without any medical treatment. Herniations which exist due to the normal degenerative processes in the spine, such as the laughably named degenerative disc disease, are rarely painful, even in the short term. Most of these degenerative induced bulges are not even discovered till many years later, since they raise no warning signs, cause no pain and exist innocently in the spine. The possibility that any herniated disc might cause pain for months, years or even decades is highly unlikely. Unfortunately, the mythology surrounding disc conditions, as well as the considerable nocebo effect of the diagnostic process, have both contributed to the current epidemic of disc related back pain.

As a final thought, remember that herniated discs are a huge industry in the medical sector. Doctors, chiropractors, complementary therapists, drug manufacturers, pharmaceutical suppliers, orthotic makers and a variety of other entities all profit hugely from disc pain. If the reality of the average herniated disc ever became common knowledge, the viability of this extremely profitable business niche would be decimated. Therefore, do not count on the diagnosis of disc herniations as a major source of pain decreasing any time soon.

Get Rid of Chronic Back Pain Now


spinal stenosis



Chronic back pain is one of the most universal medical problems today. Low back pain is such a common nuisance it affects up to 90% of Americans at some point in their life. Half will have more than one episode. Chronic back pain is not a specific disease. Rather, it is a symptom that may occur from a variety of different processes. These include degenerated discs and joints in the spine, spinal stenosis, and chronic muscle strain.



  • Chronic muscular strain: Chronic muscular strain is perhaps the most common cause of back pain. There may or may not be an initial event or accident. The result is a back ache that may come and go or be present all the time. The pain is not explained by another cause, such as those discussed below.


  • Degenerative disc disease and sciatica: Degenerative or traumatic processes in the discs of the back can lead to rupture or disc herniation. The disc protrudes and places pressure on the adjacent spinal nerves. When this condition occurs in the low back, it is called sciatica, and classically presents as leg pain and difficulty walking. Frequently, pain is felt radiating into the buttock, leg and/or foot.


  • Spinal stenosis: Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal cord causing nerve compression in the back. When this condition occurs in the low back, it leads to persistent pain in the buttocks, limping, a lack of feeling in the lower extremities, and inhibited physical activity.


  • Arthritis/Degenerative joint disease: Arthritis pain in the back is the result of degenerative processes in the spine, and has been described as aching, stabbing, sharp, radiating, or hot. Degenerative processes in the spine can lead to slippage of one vertebrate on another or even fracture. Vertebral displacement can pinch nerves and create muscle tension.

To achieve relief from chronic back pain and sciatica one must understand:


  • Back pain is not prevented by the strengthening of the muscles of the back.

  • The stability of the back rather than the strength of the back prevents your back from harm.

  • Therapy for stability is quite different from strength training.

Any approach to back pain treatment and sciatica should begin with a thorough evaluation of your spinal core and understands:


  • The stability of the back is dependent on a properly functioning spinal core

  • The spinal core is a complicated series of discs and vertebra, each with a slightly different function

  • Faulty interactions between vertebrae create excessive strain in the back

  • Optimizing interactions between vertebrae stabilizes the back, providing back pain relief and alleviating the pain of sciatica.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a therapy method that could relieve your back and sciatic pain completely and stabilize your back in anywhere from one hour to one week? The Feldenkrais Method can show you how to rid yourself of back pain for good, without drugs, surgery or machines. Feldenkrais has been used to treat hundreds of people suffering from back pain, the goal of therapy being to relieve pain and prevent your back from being injured again. The Feldenkrais Method uses simple, gentle movements to reorganize posture, flexibility, strength and coordination. And in doing so, it provides an environment within which your back pain can heal. Discover what Feldenkrais can do for your sore back or sciatica.

Ayurvedic Herbal Remedies for Back Pain and Major Causes of Backache


spinal stenosis



The spinal column consists of an intricate network of nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Inflammation or straining of any of these parts may lead to backache. Now we will cast a glance on the several possible causes that may trigger the inflammation or straining. Understanding the exact cause of back pain is the first step to proper treatment. Here follows some of the major causes of backache -

1. Lumber muscle strain causes low backache. The patient may even forget what it was that had caused the strain or spasm, but the good part of the story is that pain from lumber muscle strain subsides within a few weeks.

2. Ruptured or herniated disc is another common cause of backache. The patient can get relief from such pain by going for a surgery or taking certain precautions in day to day life.

3. Discogenic back pain is a low back pain. It occurs due to some damage of the intervertabral disc excluding disc rupture.

4. Spinal stenosis or constriction or tightening of the spinal canal may be a cause of pain in the back. This type of pain is common among aged people.

5. Lumbar spine arthritis is a form of arthritis affecting the small joints of the spinal column. It causes pain while trying to move.

6. Spondylolisthesis is a cause of pain in the back. In its case, the adjacent vertebra starts becoming unstable, and may even slip. This takes place because of the degeneration of the stabilizing structures of the spinal column.

7. Ankylosing spondilitis causes inflammation and stiffness in certain areas of the spine leading to backache.

8. Fibromyalgia is a common cause of backache. The tender points of the spine like hip, neck, and shoulder go through a phase of mucoskeletal pain and fatigue. Fibromyalgic pain may lead to sleeping disorders, numbness of limbs, headache and depression.

9. Osteoporosis is also a cause of back pain. It weakens the bones due to loss of bone density. Bones can no more bear minor stress, and may often experience compression fractures.

Anti inflammatory muscle relaxant pain relief oil such as Rumatone Gold Oil is an effective ayurvedic herbal remedy for getting relief from backache or back pain. Regular application of this herbal massage oil reduces pain and inflammation. In order to get faster relief from back pain and discomfort, one can take herbal supplement such as Rumatone Gold Capsule along with the topical application of the pain relief oil. Together these two act as a magical formula offering lasting relief from back pain.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

3 Common Postural Mistakes That Cause Back Pain


spinal stenosis



For many people, posture correction is a key component of back pain treatment. Posture - the way we hold ourselves when sitting, standing or laying - can either help protect our backs or be the cause of its pain. The tension and alignment of our soft tissues and joints are affected by posture and the lower back, both highly mobile and load-bearing, is perhaps most affected by poor posture.

Are you making any of the following common postural mistakes?

Anterior Pelvic Tilt

Since the pelvis is the foundation of the upper body, its position affects and is affected by the position of the lower back. The lumbar spine in the lower back has a natural inward arch that helps balance the forces absorbed by the spine. The inward arch is called lordosis. Often, people have too much lordosis. As the arch increases, the base of the spine is pulled upward. The base of the spine is the sacrum, which attaches to the hip bones via the sacroiliac joints. This causes the back of the pelvis to raise and the front of the pelvis to drop lower.

Anterior pelvic tilt is most often caused by muscle imbalances; tense lower back and weak hamstring and glute muscles can cause the pelvis to be pulled up in back, while tight quads and hip flexors pull it down in front without sufficient counter-force from weak abdominal muscles. This may result from imbalanced training or from simply standing and sitting with an increased arch for years. Wearing high heels, being overweight and being pregnant all predispose a person to anterior pelvic tilt.

It is important to correct this postural distortion, as it takes a toll on spinal discs, joints and the muscles throughout the pelvis and back. You may require myofascial release if muscle tension has begun to cause knots in the myofascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles). Exercise to target the abdominal, glute and hamstring muscles will be helpful in conjunction with efforts to relax the tight opposing muscles.

To see if you have anterior pelvic tilt, stand with your back against a wall, making sure your buttocks and shoulders are touching the wall. If there is more than a two-inch gap between your lower back and the wall, you may have hyperlordosis.

Forward Head

This type of postural dysfunction is on the rise due to the proliferation of small electronic devices like iPhones and our increasing reliance on them. Forward head posture is just what is sounds like: The head is positioned in front of the body's mid-line. Ideally, the head is supported by the neck directly over the shoulders. This position maintains the cervical arch within the neck and keeps neck, upper back and shoulder muscles at the appropriate length.

When the head is positioned in front of the body, its weight is no longer balanced on the spine. Rather, the upper back and neck muscles must support it. In order to look straight ahead with forward head, the muscles in the back of your neck must shorten and the cervical arch increases. This can lead to muscular pain, myofascial pain, premature cervical disc wear, cervical joint degeneration and tension headaches.

Often when people crane their heads forward, they are trying to get closer to what they're looking at. Consciousness of this tendency combined with efforts to counter it, such as raising objects closer to your face, can help to reverse forward head. Myofascial release and stretching exercises will help to relax tight neck and upper back muscles.

Slouching

We are all likely guilty of slouching at times. Some slouch when they stand or walk, and this postural mistake is particularly common when sitting. Slouching occurs when the upper back rounds out, the shoulders droop forward and the lower back flattens. Often, forward head accompanies slouching. The spine is a unit, and changes in one area are often reflected by changes in another.

A leading cause of slouching is core muscle weakness. The muscles of the lower back, pelvis, buttocks and stomach are relied upon to support spinal alignment and uprightness of the upper body. If these muscles aren't working to do these jobs, the spine will round out and the upper body will sag. Your chances of slouching increase with the amount of time you spend in a sitting or standing position; even the strongest of cores tires out eventually.

One way to counteract slouching is to consciously engage your core muscles when sitting or standing. Focus on your deep abdominal muscles and gently engage them. These muscles support the lower spine. Doing balanced core exercises such as bird dogs, bridges, partial crunches and planks will help to correct slouching. As with other forms of postural distortions, myofascial release may be needed in addition to stretching in order to relax muscles that have been chronically tensed by habitual slouching.

Being aware of common postural mistakes will help prevent you from making them. You can reduce or eliminate back pain by holding your body in proper alignment.

What is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?


spinal stenosis



A very painful ailment of the lower back can be caused by lumbar spinal stenosis. This occurs when the opening in the spinal canal narrows where the spinal cord and nerves pass through. Some people are born with this condition, sometimes it is congenital in origin, and others develop it when they are adults.

The main symptom of spinal stenosis is the compression of nerves. This can be quite painful and cause other problems too. Depending on where on the spine the narrowing is, it will determine where on the body you will have the other symptoms.

Having this condition in the cervical area (is called cervical spinal stenosis) will affect the nerves that are going to not only the neck but the arms too. This causes many problems for the shoulder, neck, and arms. Pain is just one of the symptoms you could also have weakness and even have problems with using your hands.

Lumbar spinal stenosis happens in the area of the lower back. This can cause pain in the legs and numbness too. These are the main symptoms of this condition but other symptoms do occur. Weakness can happen in the legs either one at a time or both. It is more likely that the symptoms usually only happen to one side.

This affliction can be caused by a variety of things. You can be born with it and it can be a congenital defect even. You can get injured in some way and it causes things like a herniated disc. Scoliosis also can cause this along with other types of inherited conditions. In some cases, being exposed to toxins such as insecticides can bring on abnormal growth in the bone, which can result in this narrowing. Other medical conditions can also cause bones to be abnormal too and even affect the vertebrae. Last but not least arthritis and other things like that come with age can cause the narrowing to happen.

Either type of spinal stenosis listed could go onto affect the spinal cord, which could affect your ability to walk right. It could also in many cases affect your coordination. So if you are exhibiting any of these symptoms it is imperative that you check into this.

Treatment for this type of problem varies from person to person. Some doctors will prescribe pain medication along with anti-inflammatory medicines to see if they will work at alleviating the symptoms. In the event this does not help or that your symptoms are too severe then there are surgical options available to widen the openings. These days this procedure can even be done endoscopically, which is faster to heal from.

If you think you have lumbar spinal stenosis, consult your doctor at once and find out for sure. There is no need to suffer in silence about this. Through treatment and or surgery, you can find relief.

Lumbar Spine MRI


spinal stenosis



Back when you were a child, whenever you're trying to lift a heavy object, your mom or dad used to tell you to use your legs, and not your body, to lift the object from the floor. As you grow up, your body has changed, as it becomes stronger. However, your gym trainer would pick up where your parents left off, and that's by using your legs and not your body when lifting the weights off the floor.

Sometimes, we tend to lift too heavy, that we force our back to "cheat" our motion and not the limbs. The result becomes catastrophic, since the brunt of the weight was absorbed by our lower back. We see other people or ourselves suddenly trying to take a breather, and grab the lower part of their back while agonizing in pain. For those who have experienced this first hand, you know what I'm talking about. For those into exercising, think deadlift.

Now, while we usually feel chronic back pains on our upper back, the lower back incurs the more damaging consequences due to the motion that it can provide to us, especially in lifting heavier objects. Once you're unable to perform a lift properly, or anything that directly affects your lower back, quickly consult with your family physician to avoid further damage and risk possible paralysis.

The lower back, or the lumbar spine, consists of the 5 lowest vertebrae of your spine, attached closely to the pelvic bone. Since your lumbar spine is located at the hip region, doctors usually recommend their patients with lower back problems to undergo an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Scan to check on the midsection alone, or a CT (Computed Tomography) Scan for a full body scan to point out other probable dangers within your body.

Full body scans like CT Scans or CAT (Computed Axial Tomography) Scans are ideal for general check-ups and other preventive body screening measures to seek out potential malignant elements in our bodies. The risk of full body scans is that it emits radiation, which can add to the risk of the patient, especially with the reproduction of cancer cells. MRI's are more practical, in terms of health and finance. MRI's are not radiated, and can be used to detect potential disease catalysts in a specific body part, similar to how an X-ray works.

The best part about MRI's is that it has a clear and high definition imaging that produces a 3-Dimensional visualization of all internal structures inside your body, including tumors and cancer cells. Common problems discovered usually in our lumbar spine are ruptured nerves, inflammations, swelling and bleeding, and tumors in the discs.

To get the clearest MRI results, patients are suggested to remain still while inside the machine, for the computer to obtain a precise data during panoramic image capturing. It is also important for patients to inform the MRI operator of any allergies, pregnancy, and body pierces or tattoos. A lumbar spine MRI usually takes half an hour to complete, so it can get quite uncomfortable if you're not used to staying in one position.

The best thing about MRI? It is painless, and gets the job done for you, in terms of preventive body screening and taking clearer details on the smallest of cells, giving you the chance to cut the problem by its roots before it starts to grow.

Back Pain and Spinal Stenosis


spinal stenosis



Lately, you've been experiencing a new pain that begins in your buttocks, and seems to radiate slowly down the backs of both legs. You have noticed though, that if you bend over, or once you sit down, the pain goes away.

After a thorough exam from your doctor, he mentions spinal stenosis, which is simply put a narrowing of the spinal canal which puts pressure the nerves in your spine, as well as the actual spinal cord. This doesn't mean you have to change life as you know it, it simply means you need to make some changes, which may include physical therapy or other techniques to relieve pain. There are those, however, who may need more aggressive treatment including surgery.

Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis

The symptoms of spinal stenosis don't just show up suddenly, but gradually make themselves noticeable to you. It may take months or even years before you finally realize you may need to see a doctor. Some of these bothersome symptoms include but are not limited to pain, burning, aching, tingling and even cramping from the buttocks that may radiate down to the calves. You may even notice a worsening of symptoms when you stand up or lie down flat.

Treatment

Surgery is not always needed in the treatment of spinal stenosis.

• Many individuals who suffer from mild to moderate discomfort and pain have gained relief from physical therapy and even weight loss, which takes pressure off of the midsection and back. Physical therapy and exercise including stretching and strength training along with the use of hot and cold compresses are enough to alleviate symptoms and allow some to return to normal life activities.

• It's important to maintain a level of fitness, even though you may suffer from some discomfort or mild pain. Walking, swimming, and bicycling are all excellent low-impact exercises to keep you moving and agile.

• Careful use of pain meds may help relieve pain and inflammation. Medicines that help to quiet those irritated nerves include amitriptyline (Elavil), gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica). These are just examples of medications that may help with the radiating pain down the legs. Be sure to speak with your doctor before beginning any pain treatment to ensure proper use and that there are not harmful side effects with medications you may be currently taking.

• Steroids are another option in the treatment of spinal stenosis. Whether received via a spinal injection, or in pill form, steroids help reduce swelling of tissues. Some individuals have reported relief for as long as one year from one injection. Each individual, however, is different.

• Although it has been around for a long time, many are looking to acupuncture for pain relief.

• Spinal manipulation may decrease pain by the alignment of bones within the spine.

Unfortunately, there are those who will require back surgery. You and your physician should discuss all the options and make the best choice for you, your pain, and your lifestyle. Be willing to go through a period of trial and error to help with your decision.

What Are The Symptoms and Treatments for Sciatica


spinal stenosis



Sciatica is inflammation of the sciatic nerve that is connected between the base of the spine and the thigh. It is a painful condition with very sudden onset that can last for some considerable time. Symptoms can vary considerably; examples include pins and needles in the thigh and upper leg, shooting pains running from the lower back to the thigh or a cramp-like feeling. It makes the leg difficult to move at times and can, in the worst cases, be fairly debilitating.

There are several reasons why it can occur. Most frequently it is simply due to a person moving awkwardly or maybe picking something up while incorrectly positioned. Initially a person gets a sharp sensation around the base of the spine and buttock which makes then stop what they were doing. Unfortunately once a person has noticed this sharp pain the damage has been done and the symptoms will worsen over the next few hours.

This is because extreme pressure has been put on the nerve ending. The sharp initial pain is when this occurs, but at this point the nerve will start to get inflamed which exacerbates the symptoms. Sciatica can also result from more serious conditions, such as spinal stenosis, spondylolithesis or piriformis syndrome.

The condition is often worse first thing in the morning. People often get a little relief by finding a position that's comfortable, but as soon as they move the pain and other symptoms will return.

Importantly, once a person gets an attack of sciatica they need to seek medical advice. This is not so much because the doctor can cure the condition; it is more to ascertain if there is any underlying cause. In the vast majority of cases it is simply a case that a person has done something awkwardly that over time will get better.

Most people that suffer an attack of sciatica will be advised to rest; although with the pressure that most people are under today, resting is often not an option. Anti-inflammatory drugs are usually prescribed; the types of drugs depend on the severity of the condition. An ibuprofen ointment or cream may also given which can be rubbed into the skin around the area that is painful. The anti-inflammatory drugs calm the nerve and help it recover.

Additional treatments are pain relieving drugs to ease the pain. While these are obviously helpful, the problem is that a person considers the condition has gone and starts to act normally. This can mean that the condition will take longer to go away.

In the very worst cases, where no improvement occurs, then it is possible that a surgical procedure will be suggested. This provides greater space between the base of the spine and the sciatic nerve therefore releasing the pressure that causes the symptoms. However, in by far the majority of cases; around 80 to 90 percent the symptoms will gradually disappear. Once the inflammation in the nerve subsides the symptoms improve, but it can take several weeks and in some cases a few months.

Cervical Stenosis Physical Therapy Treatment


spinal stenosis



The vertebrae are a series of bones connected to each other forming the neck, also known as the cervical spine. The spinal canal, which encloses the spinal cord, runs through the vertebrae. The spinal cord contains major nerves that allow arm and leg movements, sensation, including bladder control and bowel movements.

Cervical stenosis is the condition characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal. It occurs with age as the intervertebral discs starts to lack water content and hardens. The discs can shrink in height and stick out into the spinal canal. Spinal joints also bulge and protrude into the spinal canal. When the spinal canal narrows, the resulting pressure on the spinal cord leads to another condition called cervical myelopathy, which affects nerve functions.

Cervical stenosis usually does not have symptoms. If it has advanced to cervical myelopathy, the patient may experience neck and arm pain, weakness, and difficulty in moving the arms and legs. Incontinence also occurs in later stages of the disease. Symptoms may appear gradually or develop rapidly.

Early detection plays a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of cervical stenosis and cervical myelopathy. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and diagnostic tests and recommend an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging ) and CT (Computed Tomography) scan to be able to see the level of narrowing of the spinal canal. You may have to undergo other tests for a complete diagnosis.

What are the treatments for Cervical Stenosis?

Depending on the stage of cervical stenosis, treatments may be operative or non-operative. Usually, patients who have severe fragility and pain in the affected areas and difficulty in walking require surgery. Non-operative or conservative treatment, which includes cervical stenosis physical therapy, is ideal for mild cases.

Patients should understand that cervical stenosis physical therapy would not reduce the narrowing of the spinal canal or bring it back to normal size. The goal of cervical stenosis physical therapy is long-term pain management and increased function that will enable the patient to control pain effectively and function normally without having to undergo surgery.

Cervical stenosis physical therapy starts with improving flexibility in the neck, arms and legs through stretching exercises. It is also important to increase circulation and develop endurance in the arms and legs with cardiovascular exercises such as swimming and treadmill exercises. Your therapist may also add strengthening exercises in your program. While most of these exercises are always under professional supervision, your therapist will also provide you with exercises that you can perform independently.

Supervised cervical stenosis physical therapy may take three or more months. If your condition does not improve after cervical stenosis physical therapy, your physician will then recommend surgery.