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New York, NY
Back Pain Treatment NYC
09/12/2018
Back Pain, what is it?
What Causes Back pain
Back pain can be divided into non-radicular pain and radiculopathy. Radiculopathy occurs when there is irritation in the nerve root, causing neurologic symptoms, such as numbness and tingling. Disk herniation and foraminal stenosis are the most common causes of radiculopathy. Non-radicular back pain is most commonly caused by injury to the spinal muscles or ligaments, degenerative spinal disease, or a herniated disk. Spondylosis, or spinal degeneration, occurs when the intervertebral disc undergoes degenerative changes, causing the disc to fail at cushioning the vertebrae. There is an association between intervertebral disc space narrowing and lumbar spine pain. The space between the vertebrae becomes narrow, resulting in compression and irritation of the nerves. There is a weak association between low back pain and facet osteoarthritis, which has been considered as a primary reason for compression of spine nerve roots as they exit the intervertebral foramen.
Back pain can also be due to referred pain from another source. Referred pain occurs when pain is felt at a location different from the source of the pain. An abdominal aortic aneurysm and urethral colic can both result in pain felt in the back.
Back pain is a common symptom that could manifest along the delicate tissues of the backbone, such as the muscles, nerves, bones, and joints. Internal structures such as glands, pancreas and the aorta, may cause referred pain in the back. When treating back pain, health care professionals often attempt to achieve a decrease in the level of the individual’s back pain so as to reestablish their ability to function in everyday activities, to help them manage symptoms and also to evaluate the effects of therapy choices. The objective is to manage back pain with rehabilitation for long-term pain relief.
Back Pain Non-Medical Treatment:
Back pain is generally treated with non-pharmacological therapy first, as it typically resolves without the use of medication. Superficial heat and massage, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation therapy may be recommended.
- Heat therapy is useful for back spasms or other conditions. A review concluded that heat therapy can reduce symptoms of acute and sub-acute low-back pain.
- Regular activity and gentle stretching exercises is encouraged in uncomplicated back pain and is associated with better long-term outcomes. Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles in the abdomen and around the spine may also be recommended. These exercises are associated with better patient satisfaction, although it has not been shown to provide functional improvement. However, one study found that exercise is effective for chronic back pain, but not for acute pain. If used, they should be performed under supervision of a licensed health professional.
- Massage therapy may give short-term pain relief, but not functional improvement, for those with acute lower back pain. It may also give short-term pain relief and functional improvement for those with long-term (chronic) and sub-acute lower back pain, but this benefit does not appear to be sustained after 6 months of treatment. There does not appear to be any serious adverse effects associated with massage.
- Acupuncture may provide some relief for back pain. However, further research with stronger evidence needs to be done.
- Spinal manipulation treatments. After a complete examination a personalized clinical treatment program is put together & implemented. Your treatment is monitored so your program can be updated so you receive the maximum benefit.
is a widely-used method of treating back pain, although there is no evidence of long-term benefits.
At Clinicube we offer these After a complete examination a personalized clinical treatment program is put together & implemented. Your treatment is monitored so your program can be updated so you receive the maximum benefit.
10/31/2016
Coping with back pain during pregnancy
Back pain during pregnancy is a common and unwelcome side effect for many women. Most expectant mothers experience it to some level, and it is caused by a number of factors and elements. There are, however, precautions that can be taken and ways to relieve some of the discomforts.
Causes of back pain during pregnancy
All women experience pregnancy differently, as their babies and bodies develop in different ways. But, there are many changes that cause the similar back pains that most experience:
Hormone changes
A hormone called relaxin is produced by the body during pregnancy. This relaxes the ligaments in the pelvis and loosens the joints, in order to prepare for the birth of the baby. As the spine loosens, the joints can become unstable and cause pain at the base.
Weight gain
Throughout pregnancy, a healthy woman would expect to gain up to 15kgs. Carrying this extra weight puts extra strain on the spine and can cause pain and discomfort. Your posture and the way you walk would also change to adapt to this extra weight, increasing the strain on the back and spine.
Muscle changes
The rectal abdominis muscles, two muscles running from the rib cage to the pubic bone, separate down the middle as the uterus expands with the growing baby. This weakness in muscle increases back pain as it adds strain to the spine and relies on other muscles for strength.
Treating back pain during pregnancy
With all the body is going through, a certain level of discomfort is often unavoidable. But there are some exercises and adaptations that can be made, to keep pain levels as low as possible.
Exercises for Pregnancy Back Pain
Focusing on exercises that strengthen the abdominal muscles can often help to relieve back pain. Walking, swimming and yoga sessions are all ideal, as the emphasis should be on gentle sessions that will help with flexibility. There are often pre-natal classes as local gyms and leisure centres, which focus on exercises for pregnant women.
Improving posture
Attempting to keep the posture as correct and strong as possible is a vital step in improving back pain, for all people as well as pregnant women. Ensure you have the correct desk chair when working in an office, and keep the spine straight and upright. Sleeping on your side with a towel between the knees also helps to straighten out the spine while in bed.
Acupuncture
For women experiencing severe back pain, studies show that acupuncture can sometimes help to relieve some of the discomforts. Speak to a professional or your health care provider about the options available, and they will be able to talk through what is involved.
Consult a professional for Pregnancy Related Back Pain
If your levels of back pain are high and it becomes a real problem, do not hesitate to speak to your GP. They may be able to refer you to a physiotherapist or Chiropractor to look into further treatments to relieve some pain. Fortunately, if there were no back issues prior to pregnancy, most women’s pain will ease by the time the baby is born or soon afterwards.
06/10/2016
When it comes to back pain, prevention is as important as cure
When it comes to back pain, prevention is as important as cure
If you’re one of the millions of Americans who are currently experiencing back pain, you’ll know exactly how disabling and unpleasant it can be. Sadly, many people find that when they visit their medical provider, they end up with some super strength, prescription painkillers and little else. Not only do painkillers bring their own problems, including in some cases the potential for dependency, they also fail to address the underlying problem that’s causing the pain in the first place. If you’re looking for alternatives to drugs, chiropractic treatment can often provide a perfect solution.
Non-invasive and safe for people with pre-existing medical conditions
Because a Chiropractor uses spinal manipulation and decompression to relieve pain and promote healing, no surgery is involved. Even if you have a complex medical history or are already taking several different medications, chiropractic techniques can usually be administered safely. They are suitable for people of all ages, enabling elders to benefit as much as younger people.
Prevention is vital to minimize the risk of a condition recurring
A major advantage of chiropractic is that it encompasses not only the immediate treatment of the acute condition, but also includes exercises and postural adjustments designed to strengthen and support the spinal area. Done regularly, the right exercises can help to protect the spine against further injury in the future. Particularly if your back pain has been attributed to a degenerative condition, posture or lifestyle, chiropractic provides the guidance you need to make lasting positive changes in order to improve your spinal health as much as possible.
Our experienced team believes in offering a holistic, effective treatment regime that’s individually tailored to the needs of each client. In addition to chiropractic, if appropriate we can also offer a range of other proven pain relief techniques, including acupuncture, physical therapy and Redcord. We can work successfully with people of all ages and our therapies are usually suitable for people who have pre-existing conditions. If you’re looking for a long-term solution to your back pain which doesn’t have to involve years of dependence on painkillers, chiropractic could be the answer.
05/01/2016
Facts On Back Pain Relief
Back Pain Relief Overview
Back pain is a common problem that affects men and women in nearly equal proportions. The incidence of the condition appears to increase with advancing age. In general, the problem may be described as being acute or chronic. The latter term is used if it has lasted for less than two weeks and the former used if the duration is more than two weeks. There are a number of things on back pain relief you need to know if struggling with the problem.
Treatment is dependent on the underlying problem. Most cases of acute pain are due to muscle strain such as that which occurs after involvement in strenuous physical activity. They tend to resolve spontaneously with time or with over the counter analgesic agents. In a few cases, they may fail to resolve to the medication and progress to become chronic.
Osteoarthritis and Back Pain
Among the commonest causes of chronic back ache is a degenerative condition known as osteoarthritis. The condition affects large joints including the ankle joint, the knee joint, the hip joint and intervertebral joints. The problem is often seen from the sixth decade of life. The discomfort has been observed to be aggravated by movements taking place at the affected joints.
While there is no definitive treatment of osteoarthritis (except replacement of affected joints in severe cases), analgesic agents are often used to provide relief. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs, NSAIDs are, in particular, quite helpful. Examples include diclofenac, naproxen and aspirin among others. Opioids and opioid-like drugs such as tramadol may be prescribed if the symptoms are severe. Exercise is often prescribed alongside the drugs.
Infectious Causes of Back Pain
Infections may cause both acute and chronic pain. Bacterial infections can be easily managed using antibiotics. The antibiotics may, however, not be effective against tuberculosis. A specific set of drugs is available for this. Tuberculosis causes marked deformity and subsequent spine instability due to its destructive effect on bony structures. Corrective surgery such as spinal fusion may be needed in this case to restore normalcy.
Tumors may be involved in one of two ways; as primary bone tumors affecting the spine or as secondary tumors (metastasis). Multiple myeloma is the commonest bone tumor that affects bones primarily. Others include osteogenic sarcoma, giant cell tumors and so on. Secondary tumors that metastasize to the spine and cause pain may originate from the thyroid, breasts, kidneys or the prostate gland. As is the case with other types of cancers, treatment is through chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery depending on the stage.
Physical Therapy for Back Pain Relief
Several other options other than medical treatment and surgery are available. Physical therapy is among the most commonly used alternatives. There are two main types of exercises that can be used: passive and active. Passive exercises are conducted by the therapist while active exercises are done by the patient. To increase the chances of success, the two are often offered concurrently.
Acupressure and Acupuncture for Back Pain
Acupressure and acupuncture are other options that one may consider. Acupuncture is said to work by restoring the normal flow of life energy (also known as qi). This is made possible through the use of fine needles that are inserted into the body in predetermined regions. Acupressure is done similarly but the palm of the hand is used to apply pressure instead of needles.
04/13/2016
How Medical Massage can Help Fibromyalgia
Living with fibromyalgia can feel like a constant battle against mood swings, tiredness, muscle soreness and chronic pain. Since there is no definitive “cure” for this syndrome, it’s important to find treatment options that not only work for you, but are safe to use long-term. One of these safe, natural treatments is medical massage therapy. Undergoing regular massages by an experienced massage therapist can benefit you in many ways as a fibromyalgia sufferer.
Medical Massage and Muscle Relaxation
By using a combination of soothing, long strokes and shorter, kneading motions, your massage therapist can loosen your muscles. This increases your range of motion, so you experience less pain and stiffness when you move. You’ll find that your tender points feel less tender and that your body is less reactive to cold. Those first few steps after rolling out of bed in the morning won’t be so painful.
Reduced Heartrate
Heart rate and stress have an interesting relationship in fibromyalgia. A higher heart rate raises your stress levels, and stress drives your heart rate even higher. Massage can help break this cycle, reducing your heart rate and your stress levels at the same time.
Massage helps direct fluids out of your tissues and back into your circulation system. Not only does this help with soreness, but it helps stabilize your blood volume, which leads to a lower heart rate and less irritability. Most patients also find massage relaxing. They emerge from the experience feeling less stressed out, and this stress-free feeling lingers, keeping moods more stable.
Release of Endorphins
Massage stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural pain-relieving hormones produced in your central nervous system. Endorphins also help fight depression, and they make it easier for you to get restful sleep—a common struggle among fibromyalgia patients. Improved sleep leads to even greater relief from the irritability, mood swings, and depression you likely suffer.
Adding medical massage to your fibromyalgia treatment plan is a safe, natural, and effective choice. Your therapist will specialize your treatment protocol to your needs and symptoms. To learn more, contact Launchfit™ by Clinicube®For Chiropractic and Physical Therapy.