Massage Therapy for Back Pain

A July 2001 survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association found that the number of adults receiving massages from a massage therapist more than doubled since 1997. Most healthcare providers are recognizing massage therapy as a legitimate aid for lower back pain and an effective adjunct to lower back treatments. Fifty-four percent of healthcare providers say they will encourage their patients to pursue massage therapy in addition to medical treatment. A study on massage and back pain conducted at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami in 2001 found that: "Massage lessened lower back pain, depression and…
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World Arthritis Day 6 Best Ways to Manage Arthritis

Though you may already know that arthritis is a common condition, it may surprise you to know that arthritis impacts more than 50 million Americans, making it the number one cause of disability in the country, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Arthritis symptoms may come and go and can be mild, moderate or severe. Whether you’re newly diagnosed with arthritis or have been coping with the condition for years, here are a few tips to help you manage the pain of arthritis. Weight Management Maintaining a healthy weight is good for your general health and wellness and it also can improve your…
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Turmeric and Curcumin for Arthritis

Research suggests turmeric and its components can potentially alleviate arthritis inflammation and pain. Most people know turmeric as a powdered spice used to give foods flavor and color—it gives many curries their deep golden color. Derived from a plant in the ginger family, turmeric (Curcuma longa) contains a natural chemical compound called curcumin. Scientists have found curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Studies suggest curcumin may provide relief for some people with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory arthritic conditions. Curcumin Supplements Analysts estimate curcumin accounts for only about 3 to 5% of turmeric. Arthritis pain relief may require ingesting more curcumin than…
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Pain Relief with Physical Therapy and Exercise

The use of some type of physical therapy or exercise is integral to almost all forms of back and neck pain treatment. Sometimes physical therapy and exercise are the first lines of treatment, other times it may help manage chronic pain, or provide rehabilitation after surgery. But did you know that both gentle back exercise and physical therapy play a vital role in relieving pain? Physical therapy and exercise are perhaps the most mainstream of all non-surgical treatments for back pain and neck pain. And unlike other conservative treatments (medication, injections, etc.), physical therapy can also help prevent and/or lessen future…
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Scoliosis Types

Scoliosis is any abnormal sideways curvature of the spine measuring at least 10 degrees on an x-ray. While it's not a disease, in rare cases it can be caused by a disease. More often, however, scoliosis develops from an unknown cause during adolescence or from spinal degeneration during adulthood. Structural vs. Nonstructural There are two general categories for scoliosis: Structural is by far the most common category of scoliosis. It involves spinal rotation in addition to the side-to-side curvature of the spine. This type can affect the spine’s structure and is considered permanent unless the spine receives treatment. Nonstructural, also known as…
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Neuropathy And Chronic Back Pain

Neuropathic pain originates in the nerves; and can be thought of as similar to static on a telephone line. Neuropathy happens when nerves become damaged or dysfunctional because of an injury or trauma. It's considered a chronic condition. Neuropathic pain is distinct from other types of pain. If a person breaks a bone, pain signals are carried via nerves from the site of the trauma to the brain. With neuropathic pain, however, pain signals originate in the nerves themselves. How Neuropathic Pain Develops In many cases, the nerves become damaged or dysfunctional after responding to an injury or trauma, causing…
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10 Tips for Posture and Ergonomics

Everyday habits, like prolonged sitting or standing, staring at screens, carrying heavy bags on the same shoulder, driving, or even sleeping; can over time may cause poor posture. Poor posture can become second nature, creating and aggravating back and neck pain. On a positive note, you can control and even changed the main variables affecting posture and ergonomics causing back and neck pain. Ten Tips for Improving Posture and Ergonomics The following guidelines suggest several ways to improve posture and ergonomics, especially for people who work sitting in an office chair for most of the day. Identify the warning signs…
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Neuroinflammation of Patients with Sciatica

A study by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators has found, for the first time in humans, that patients with chronic sciatica - back pain that shoots down the leg - have evidence of inflammation in key areas of the nervous system. In their paper published in the May issue of the journal Pain, the research team reports finding that average levels of a marker of neuroinflammation were elevated in both the spinal cord and the nerve roots of patients with chronic sciatica. Additionally, the study showed an association between neuroinflammation and response to anti-inflammatory steroid injections, with levels of neuroinflammation differing…
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TMS Protocol May Be Effective in CRPS

The use of a novel frequency pairing for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may effectively relieve upper and lower extremity pain associated with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), according to a study published in Neuromodulation. The TMS protocol used in this study consisted of initial intermittent theta bursts (ie, burst of three 50-Hz pulses every 200 ms, 2 second-long trains repeated every 10 s, total of 600 pulses, delivered at 70% of the resting motor threshold [RMT]). This was followed by a 10-Hz stimulation (duration, 10 s; intertrain interval, 30 s; total pulses, 2000; delivered at 80% of RMT). Muscle activity was monitored throughout…
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Regenerative Medicine the Pain Management Alternative

Injuries happen to almost everyone, but for some they can be far worse. For those with chronic pain, arthritis and a host of other ailments, it can mean a lifetime of discomfort. While many of those symptoms can be treated, it’s often with invasive surgery or only partially effective treatments like cortisone shots. Regenerative medicine offers an alternative to going under the knife, while achieving lasting results. Relievus, a pain management and neurology specialist practice, offers these treatments at both its Havertown and Philadelphia locations. Here, clinician Dr. Uplekh Purewal offers insight. Q: What is regenerative medicine? A: It’s a form…
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