Preventing Muscle Loss as We Age

Muscle loss can contribute to the loss of independence as we age. Similar to what osteoporosis, sarcopenia is the decline of skeletal muscle in older adults. Sarcopenia is one of the leading causes of functional decline in older adults and is associated with a number of chronic illnesses. By continuing to keep active older adults can help slow and even prevent worsening muscle loss as they age. Sarcopenia, a decline in skeletal muscle in older people, contributes to loss of independence. “Use it or lose it.” I’m sure you’re familiar with this advice. And I hope you’ve been following it.…
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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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Stem Cells for Spine Surgery

Stem cell therapy is increasingly becoming a more common option in the medical field. Physicians suggesting it as an alternative treatment as well as an additional tool in surgeries for chronic problems like degenerative disc disease or spine injuries. In the below article originally from Chicago Health, a patient with a spinal injury was treated using a spinal fusion procedure which included an innovative use of stem cell therapy to promote new bone tissue growth. This procedure was part of a stem cell therapy study, where the physician thought the success rate of the innovative procedure would be similar to…
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5 Exercises to Help Prevent Knee Pain

Pressure on joints, especially your knees, increases over the years, and can cause pain during activity. Keeping joints healthy during your lifetime can be helped by healthy diet and lifestyle. Exercise, doesn't have to be a strenuous hours long activity to give you benefit, and keep your joints healthy. Moderate and easy exercise such as cycling and swimming are great ways to exercise that have minimal impact on joints like the knees. Think of it like a car, you have to keep the mechanics of the car oiled for it to run smoothly. Exercise is like oil for your knees and…
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Low Vitamin D linked to Peripheral Neuropathy

Recent studies have reported that patients with Type 2 diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy showed lower Vitamin D levels than patients without T2 diabetes or peripheral neuropathy. Some studies also found including a vitamin D supplementation could help improve painful neuropathic symptoms, which suggests vitamin D could have a role in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.  Low Vitamin D linked to Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Patients with type 2 diabetes and painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy had significantly lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels compared with healthy volunteers and patients with type 2 diabetes without neuropathy or with painless neuropathy, according to data published in Diabetic Medicine.…
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Other Electrotherapy Treatments

Electrotherapy treatments can be helpful with providing some relief certain conditions. Chronic back or leg pain can be aided by electrotherapy, called PEMF, by promoting promoting bone growth and strength. Other forms of electrotherapy are used to help circulatory disorders, improve range of motion, and reduce muscle spasms. Both forms of electrotherapy help aid the healing process and promote faster healing times in cases of chronic or persistent pain conditions.  Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, interferential current, and galvanic stimulation are some of the electrotherapy treatments that may be helpful in certain situations. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy Aids in Bone Fusion…
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Diet Tips for Arthritis

Sometimes the easiest way to improve your health with conditions like arthritis is by modifying lifestyle choices like diet and exercise. Arthritis causes pain and stiffness in joints and muscle,s which can stop people from doing every day tasks. No diets can cure arthritis, but by making small changes, like eating more fruits and vegetables, arthritis symptoms can be improved to manage pain. A Mediterranean diet has been known to help ease chronic pain associated with arthritis. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes: eating primarily plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts. Replacing butter when cooking with healthy fats such…
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