Undiagnosed Back Pain Management

The main reason back pain is such a difficult condition to treat is that its cause is difficult to diagnose. While doctors are trained mainly to look for spinal abnormalities, the cause of back pain is often musculoskeletal and biomechanical in nature. Given the lack of training in how to diagnose such dysfunctions, most doctors can do little more than prescribe medication and give generic advice to help patients with chronic back pain.

Finding the cause of your pain is the only way to ensure thorough treatment; this can be done by seeking out physical therapists, chiropractors, myofascial specialists and massage therapists trained to identify commonly overlooked sources of back pain. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the ultimate goal, but finding a way to manage pain safely while you get there can be just as important.

Chronic back pain can interfere with relationships, work and quality of life in general. The longer pain goes untreated, the more susceptible patients are to depression and cessation of activity, things that can actually make pain worse. Prescription pain medications come with serious health risks and can interfere with your ability to function normally. Over-the-counter medications also carry serious risks if used for a prolonged period of time. Fortunately, there are safe pain management options for people looking to avoid the health risks associated with pain killers, even if you don't know what is causing your pain.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been around for centuries and is finally gaining credibility in the scientific community. There are many theories on how acupuncture works to relieve pain; some say unblocks energy pathways in the body, while others say that it stimulates nerve clusters to interfere with pain signals. Others say acupuncture works by increasing the flow of endorphins through the body. One or all of these may be correct. Perhaps most relevant to its treatment of back pain is the fact that it can fight inflammation.

Cortisol is a hormone that triggers the body's anti-inflammatory response. A study was conducted to assess cortisol levels in people after receiving acupuncture treatment. Participants had 28% more cortisol in their blood 15 minutes after treatment and 50% more 45 minutes after treatment. Inflammation is a main source of pain and is associated with nearly all types of injury. See more on the study at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7183209.

Theramine

Theramine is a medical food available by prescription only. It consists of neurotransmitters and precursors thereof. The neurotransmitters that are initiated by Theramine both interfere with pain signal communication between nerve endings and the brain and help reduce inflammation. It may be a useful alternative to other types of pain medications that come with greater risks, or as a supplementary medication to reduce your reliance on other drugs. Talk with you doctor about this natural pain medication.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is part of the treatment plan for almost any type of back pain. One study, found at http://journals.lww.com/spinejournal/Abstract/publishahead/Primary_Care_Referral_of_Patients_with_Low_Back.98253.aspx, showed that patients with back pain who sought physical therapy early on saved money in the long run due to lack of need for expensive medications, imaging tests and further doctor's visits. Physical therapists can guide you in stretches that keep your muscles flexible and exercises that strengthen your core. The core muscle group supports your spine and helps you maintain proper posture. This relieves strain on muscles and ligaments. Strong muscles in the stomach and back also help reduce stress on spinal discs and joints.

A physical therapist may even be able to diagnose the cause of your pain. If you find a therapist well-versed in muscle imbalances and biomechanical dysfunction, he or she may be capable of seeing what your physician can't.

The cornerstone of back pain treatment is an accurate diagnosis; however, pain management is necessary in the meantime. The above natural treatments may help you cope with back pain, no matter what the cause.

Bring Out Your Inner Massage Therapist

When you lying face down on a massage table, regardless of how great a job the message therapist is doing, you might always be tempted to assume that at the end of the day the entire job entails is a pair of hands. In reality, there is much more to a massage than that. A professional message therapist must know quite a few things. First of all, they have to know exactly which tools to use whether it is the hands, fingers, elbows and whatever else. They must also know exactly which oils to use, which scents etc. Most importantly, the message therapist always has to precisely how to handle the client's body. He or she must know where to touch, how to touch it and even how long to touch it.

This is not a simple thing and to be in tune with all this, all professional message therapists must attend massage therapy spa training. If you have also been wondering how to start off on a career in this industry, you will also need to start here in order to learn massage therapy. The time it takes in massage training varies according to what it is the student wants. Some simply seek the minimum requirements needed to get started while others go the whole way and seek to master the discipline. In some cases, this period of learning time is regulated by a stated body and can range anything from 330 to 1000 hours. This will translate to programs that last anything from between a few weeks to two years.

After attaining the necessary skills needed, the next step is to start building a career out of this. There are various approaches one may take. Some start on entrepreneurial ventures and start their own business such as massage parlors or massage therapy spas while others seek employment from already established businesses. Some of the places in which a massage training graduate can attain employment include but are not limited to Spas, resorts, hotels, hospitals (as medical massage therapists), private offices, fitness centres, country clubs etc. The tourism and hospitality sector is the place where it would be easiest to find employment because massages have become an important part of most peoples relaxation routines thus the best place to find them would be where they go to relax.

Even if you are not interested in a full time job as a message therapist, it can also make for a great part time job which is a great idea for somebody seeking to make a little extra money. It is also the kind of skill that is great fun to have handy in the bedroom as a sensual massage can make for a great experience in the bedroom.

In case you wish to learn massage therapy for other reasons other than getting a job or just to simply expand your knowledge then you are in luck because this is a field that has as many variations as it could take you to learn in a single lifetime. You could take a massage continuing education and seek to learn as many different techniques as you can learn. Massage practices from the east will give you an especially good amount of work to do as they have many varying types of massage therapy ranging from Japan's shiatsu, Thailand's Hilot, the stone massage among others.

Massage continuing education may seem basic but it can also be an education in healing as many massage therapists will testify to at least one patient who claimed that the message therapist hands are what cured them after many years of ailment. When you learn massage therapy, you also learn to heal.

The Benefits of Massage Therapy

Many people consider massage a luxury, and not something that could be considered a treatment for some medical conditions. However, there are a lot of benefits to this sort of therapy. It is definitely something that would be helpful for most people to do from time to time.

One of the benefits of massage therapy is that it is very relaxing. It can help to reduce stress levels and calm down people that are upset or feeling aggressive. It can also help people that are having trouble sleeping. You can get a massage in a darkened room with nicely scented warm massage oil to really help you relax. Soothing music can also be played. The whole experience contributes to the feeling of relaxation.

Sore muscles can also be helped through massage therapy. Be sure to tell the therapist about any muscles that are sore that you would like worked on so they con concentrate on the areas that need help the most. When tight muscles are massaged it can help to loosen them up, thus relieving many other types of pain such as headaches.

This type of treatment can also improve your immune system. Studies have shown that after having a massage people have higher white blood cell counts. This means that it can also help people recover from surgery and other illnesses.

Babies many times benefit from massages, and there are lots of resources you can use in order to learn how to give them a simple massage to relax them and help them to feel better when they are fussy. Their digestive process can also be aided through this therapy.

Although it is beneficial in many cases, there are some situations that make it unsafe for you to undergo this treatment. You will want to check with your doctor before you schedule any massage appointments just to make sure that there is no reason you shouldn't do this. Heart conditions and problems with blood vessels make it unsafe for you to get a massage. Those who are pregnant should only get this treatment from someone who is qualified to do pregnancy massage since massaging some areas during certain times during the pregnancy can be dangerous. You also don't want to get a massage in any areas where you have skin conditions.

Physical Therapy Salary

The average salary a physical therapy professional practicing in the United States can expect to receive, according to a recent survey by Salary.com, is $69,946. This generous basic compensation along with attractive benefits contributes to the increasing popularity of this profession among people today, aside from the fact that the current lifestyle and population trends warrant an increase in physical therapy services.

The average salary for an entry-level physical therapist position was found to be $54,632, according to PayScale.com. This is quite a respectable amount given the level of education needed before you can practice. Other factors can affect this annual amount though, like where you practice, the facility you are employed by, your level of experience, as well as the credentials you bring to the establishment. So overall, there is quite a bit of room to grow in.

The increased demand for physical therapy services may have given rise to the better compensation packages on offer, which can keep getting better. In addition to better compensation, steps were also taken to fill these positions by opening them up to foreign-trained physical therapists. This means there are truly numerous opportunities out there that are not being locally met yet and are open to those who are interested.

Along with the enticing basic salary, employers put together an attractive benefits package, which can include dental, medical, optical, disability and life insurance; paid vacations; 401(k); stock purchase plan for employees; etc. Physical therapists trained abroad can receive coverage or assistance in airfare costs, board and lodgings, work visas, immigration and moving costs, etc.

Given these enticements, it is still important for you to discern where you will finally choose to practice as different states compensate differently. For instance, while New York and Houston offers the highest average salary by city, California offers the highest salary per state (PayScale research). Also consider the costs of living per area - these three locations are known to have high costs of living so most of your high pay here will still go towards living expenses in the end.

In addition, various types of employers compensate differently. For example, self-employed therapists' average salary come out to be $46 per hour while therapists employed by universities only get $30 per hour. Other facilities, like government and non-profit organizations, private clinics, and hospitals compensate between $30-$40 per hour.

Consider, too, the level of qualification and amount of work experience you bring to your prospective employer. Therapists who have trained longer and get their certificates of specialties will definitely get paid more than those with just a basic level of physical therapy training and education. Also, therapists who have logged in more work experience over the years and have seen and treated more types of patients will definitely be compensated better for the expertise that they bring to their employer's facility.

For instance, a therapist who specialized in Wound Care with 1-4 years of experience is paid around $36.61 per hour while an entry level therapist with less than a year's experience is paid $26.81 per hour. Therefore, you should consider this factor for determining wages carefully during the early stages of your career so you can prepare accordingly and decide on a specialty, if that is what you want to do.

Now, armed with the basic information regarding physical therapy salary, it is up to you to plot out your career chart and take these factors into consideration so you can achieve your career goals.

Maternity Massage: Benefits of Prenatal Massage

Pregnancy can be a real grind on your body. Back pain, swollen feet and sore legs are just a few of the trials and tribulations that pregnancy brings. It can be a real drag, but here's a little good news: prenatal massage offers a myriad of benefits. Not that anyone should ever need an excuse to get a therapeutic massage, but studies show that prenatal massage can help to:

• Alleviate swelling, including joints
• Reduce nerve pain (that sciatic nerve can be a real sore spot during pregnancy)
• Improve circulation
• Reduce stress
• Improve sleep

While prenatal massage can be performed during all three trimesters, some experts feel that it should be avoided during the first trimester, so it's highly recommended that you get the go-ahead from your doctor before receiving a massage and that you find a massage therapist that is certified in prenatal or pregnancy massage. While massage has never been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, those who have a higher than usual risk of clotting or early labor should probably avoid it. Other conditions that are contraindicative for prenatal massage include:

• Chronic hypertension
• Diabetes
• Heart problems
• A previous miscarriage or problem pregnancy
• Asthma

Much like regular massage, prenatal massage involves the use of touch to ease aches and pains, increase circulation, and promote relaxation, but it's particularly designed for the changing needs of a pregnant woman's body. It's usually done with you on your side, and many practitioners that specialize in prenatal massage have a special table or pad, as opposed to a traditional massage table. Since pregnancy can mean an increased risk of blood clots in the legs, typically prenatal massage will avoid using heavy pressure or deep tissue technique on your legs, instead using light strokes, often known as Swedish massage technique. While some practitioners will avoid massaging your belly, many feel that light strokes and touch on you abdominal area can help to relax your baby as well. It's worth mentioning that since massage therapy often involves aromatherapy, you may want to mention to your practitioner if you're having any increased sensitivity to certain smells, although some essential oils that may be beneficial during pregnancy include:

• Tea Tree
• Mandarin
• Lemon

It's always a good idea to consult with your doctor and get approval before receiving a prenatal massage, and in fact, many massage therapists will require a written note from your doctor before your massage. It's also a good idea to be sure that the massage therapist that you choose is certified and experienced in prenatal massage therapy. You can check with one of the national associations to find a licensed, certified professional in your area, or ask your doctor, midwife or doula for a recommendation.

Runner's Knee Strengthening Exercises - A Must For Anyone Struggling With Runner's Knee

When you're hit with an injury like Runner's Knee, it can really put you down. As runners, we are the rare breed that actually enjoy what others consider punishment. But when you have Runner's Knee, it puts you back in the basement with everyone else. That is, seeing running as a chore. But don't pull your hair out: you can easily get back to enjoying running with the right Runner's Knee strengthening exercises.

While you are doing these exercises, it is important to remember that strength should be built up gradually. In other words, "take your time." Also, absolutely do not ignore pain when you are stretching or following these exercises. That will just make everything way worse than it already is. If you are feeling a good amount of pain, you must take a break.

Now, here are a few Runner's Knee strengthening exercises that will help you recover:

1.) Leg Lifts - Lie flat on your back. Bend your left knee at 90-degree angle, keeping your foot flat on the floor. Keeping the right leg straight, slowly lift it to the height of the left knee. Hold this for a count of three and repeat 10 times, then switch sides. *It's important to only do one leg at a time

2.) Knee Dips - Stand with your knees slightly flexed and point your toes straight ahead. Make sure your kneecaps are also pointed straight ahead. Lift one leg up and balance on the other leg. Slowly lower yourself up and down a few inches. Keep the knee of the leg you are balancing on slightly flexed. Stand straight, do not lean your body to one side. Complete 10 dips, then switch sides.

Kyphosis and the Office Worker

Kyphosis is a pronounced curve in the upper spine as the diagram below illustrates. The chances are if you're reading this you're probably sitting at a computer. All of us at some time will use a computer and a large majority of people will be sat at a desk and do most if not all of there work sat facing a computer. Typically people working at a computer will be slumped, leaning forward into the computer screen, the shoulders will be rolled forward and the neck will be long. Over a period of time the pectoral muscles on the front of the chest will shorten which in turn will bring the shoulders forward and tighten the muscles on the upper back. This will have several effects.

Effects of postural kyphosis

Hunchback

Tight shoulders

Compresses the lungs causing possible breathing difficulties

Compresses the internal organs leading to possible digestion problems.

Energetically obstruction of the lung channel again leading to respiratory problems

Instability of the shoulder joint

Possible cause of headaches

There are several types of kyphosis but as a massage practitioner I am mainly concerned with postural kyphosis which is a condition I see and treat on a regular basis.

Everything is connected

Everything in the body is linked so if one thing goes wrong there is going to be a chain reaction so if a muscle tightens there is going to be an effect on surrounding muscles and structure.

The client during the consultation will complain about tight shoulders and on physical examination will find that between the shoulder blades and the surrounding area feel tight. A lot of therapist will go straight to the upper back and treat there because that's where the pain is coming from and the client will expect you to start there because they believe that's where the pain is coming from. The shoulders are tight but they are tight because they are long not short. If you roll your shoulders forward and inwards towards your chest you will feel your upper back tighten. Further more in this position you will notice that this compresses the chest impairing the lungs function to expand to its full capacity and that by bending forward compression of the internal organs will occur.

If you consider how much time you spend sitting at a computer you have some idea of how serious this condition is, lets say you work a 37 hour week that means you spend 148 hours every 4 weeks in this position. At the end of the day sat at a computer, people will get in there car, get home and slump in front of the TV constantly being in a poor position.

The negative cycle

What's worse is that once this position is adapted this becomes the normal position for the body to be in. If a person slumps at there desk and then tries to adapt a correct posture by sitting correctly, pulling the shoulders back and putting the neck/head into a correct position it will cause pain because the body has adapted to a incorrect position and because when trying to correct pore posture it causes pain (mainly because the pecs are short) the person will go back to slumping because that's what feels normal. At this stage the muscles would be considered to be chronically tight.

When muscles are tight the supply of blood flow is restricted. The blood flow is responsible fro maintenance, repair and carrying away waste products from the muscles. When blood flow is restricted the muscle doesn't get nutrients and waste builds up. This is the start of the negative cycle causing the muscle to tense up more causing the fibres to harden leading to loss of movement and pain.

In this position the muscles that attach to the back of the neck are being stretched so again this will restrict the blood flow in this area which could be a possible cause of headaches.

Correct treatment

Release of the pectorals muscles thus realigning the shoulders and helping the muscles that are tight on the upper back into the correct position

Massage of the upper back and shoulder

Treatment of lower back and hip flexors

Releasing the neck with massage and stretches

Advice and Exercises

Core stability- these are the abdominal muscles and the muscles around the centre of your body which provide stability to the spine giving you strength to sit correctly

Correct posture see links below

Stretching of muscles especially pectorals, lower back, lower hip flexors. See my sheet on stretches

Pilates class

Further reading

Nhs direct- watch a video on kyphosis and read more explanations on the condition
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Kyphosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx?url=Pages/What-is-it.aspx

Advice on how to sit correctly whilst using a laptop or desktop
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/workplacehealth/Pages/Howtositcorrectly.aspx