Posts Tagged ‘osteoarthritis’


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Best Sleeping Positions For Back Pain

Choosing a new mattress is an important decision, but if you suffer from back pain, it is even more important that you understand what mattress will best suit your condition.

In this article I have tried to cover the main problems that affect the back and advice on the best sleeping positionand the best mattress type:

Osteoarthritis – If you have osteoarthritis you will probably find that it is more comfortable for you to sleep on your side with your knees pulled up towards your chest as if you were in the fetal position. The effect of raising your knees has the effect of opening up the joints of the spine and should help relieve some of the pressure from within. The best type of bed for this condition is an adjustable bed, as the head and legs can be raised giving a similar effect to sleeping in the fetal position.

Degenerative Disk Condition – Degenerative disk disease is a particularly difficult condition to live with. If you suffer from this condition you will probably find that sleeping on your stomach with a flat pillow positioned under your hips and stomach. This position should relieve some of the pressure on the disks, and a you’ll find that a relatively firm mattress will give you the most comfort.

Hip Pain – If you suffer from hip pain, you’ll probably find sleeping on your side more comfortable than anything else. If you get some comfort from sleeping this way, try putting a soft pillow between your knees as this will relieve a lot of the pressure from across the top of your hips and should improve you comfort levels. The best type of mattress for you is likely to be a medium to firm mattress, but with this condition it is very much down to personal preference.

Non-Specific Back Pain – If you have non-specific back pain or one of the many general forms of lower back pain, you might be one of the many people who would benefit from sleeping on your back with a pillow placed below slightly raised knees. It has been reported in numerous studies that this is a great way for many patients to achieve comfortable sleep after they have undergone spine surgery.

One final tip that has proved useful for a lot of individuals, is to sleep in a reclining chair or one of the many adjustable beds that are available nowadays. If you notice that your back pain is worse when standing upright but better when bent forward slightly, using an adjustable chair or bed will benefit you.

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What is the best sleeping position when you have lower back pain?

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Neck Pain During Sleep 

So what’s the best sleeping position to avoid neck pain during sleep? Any position that allows you to provide good support for your neck and back are recommended. Sleep neck pain can be avoided if we take the fetal position, …

 

 

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Disc Degeneration

Free Back Pain Video and eBook

Low back pain can sometimes be traced back to a degenerative disc problem in the spinal column.  In order to understand why the pain happens it’s first important to understand how the spinal column is formed.  The spinal column is a vertical row of small round bones that are interconnected or articulated so that the bone can bend.  Through the center of the these round bones runs the spinal cord which is a bundle of nerves that travels from the base of the brain out to the rest of the body.  The spinal column protects the cord and gives the body flexibility and mobility.

Between each of the round bones, called vertebrae, are soft discs.  These discs are there to cushion the motion between the bones so there isn’t bone rubbing on bone during motion.

Degenerative changes to the spinal column are common and the intervertebral discs are one structure that is prone to those changes.  They are associated with wear and tear, aging and misuse such as smoking.  Long before any changes might be evident on imaging studies there are biochemical and structural changes that may seem to be similar to osteoarthritis.

degenerative disc

The term degenerative disc disease refers to the changes to the discs which causes low back pain.  But, despite the rather dramatic label, this condition is very common among individuals.  It is estimated that approximately 30% of 30 to 50 year old people will have some degree of degeneration of the disc space.  And, after a person reaches age 60 this finding is expected and the exception.

Although the description of degenerative disc disease appears to be straight forward there is some degree of disagreement in the medical community about the description and the implications, especially when x-ray findings indicate changes in a young adult.   But, while there is some debate about the disease itself it is known how the changes in the spine cause pain.

Generally the pain that is associated with degenerative disc disease and low back pain are thought to stem from two different factors.  These factors are the inflammation from the changes to the disc and abnormal micromotion instability.

When inflammation occurs in the body there is release of chemicals that irritates the musculature which results in spasms of the muscles around the area.  If one of the out rings of the disc is damaged or worn it isn’t as effective in resisting motion in the spine.  This micromotion instability isn’t associated with gross instability such as a slipped disc but still causes pain or discomfort in the area.

Both the micromotion instability and the inflammation cause muscle spasms in the lower back.  As the body attempts to stability the lower back the muscles spasm further creating more pain.  This cycle is a reflex of the body and although it isn’t necessary to protect the nerve roots it can also be painful and result in an individual who appears crooked from one area of the back to the next as the muscle spasms pull the back out of alignment.

Published by Relief For Back Pain

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Does Chiropractic Treatment Reduce Arthritis Pain?

 

 

 

 

>>>Free Back Pain eBook and Video<<<

One of the most commonly misunderstood conditions among sufferers is arthritis.

Often the word, “arthritis,” brings to mind a future that includes crippled and twisted joints. But, many conditions from benign to severe are listed under the term, arthritis. For our purposes we will limit this analysis to the most common forms of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis and Chiropractic Care

Osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD) are the names for the most common form of arthritis, which is also called, spondylosis, if it occurs in the spine. Essentially, the condition is due to the wearing out of the cartilage that lines the joint surfaces, and it is found not only in humans, but also in all mammals. When joint cartilage is injured, the sensitive bone tissue that is normally protected by the cartilage becomes stressed causing degenerative changes in the joint. Sometimes the bone around the joint will proliferate and make osteophytes, or what are familiarly called bone spurs. These spurs can cause painful irritation to other tissues around the joint, in this way complicating the already painful condition.

Degenerative joints principally occur in the lower neck and lower back, the knees, hips, and fingers. Everyone may experience DJD at one point in their lives, though previous trauma, ones occupation, activities, weight, diet, and heredity affect the degree of the condition and its onset.

Pain and/or stiffness in the affected joints are primary indicators of DJD. If the weight-bearing joints, such as the hips or knees are involved, ones mobility can be affected especially in the more advanced stages of the condition. As a last resort joints can be surgically replaced with synthetic devices. This should be done only in severe cases where the joint is measurably worn and movement is unattainable without severe pain.

Prevention is always the best option, beginning at an early age.

  • One should always guarantee that, especially when young, all injuries to joints are correctly managed to insure proper healing to avoid future disability.
  • Shoes with good support and shock absorption should be worn by those whose jobs require extended periods of standing or walking.
  • Weight loss through proper diet will help to reduce stress on weight-bearing body joints.
  • Care should be taken to protect knees from pain aad strain when kneeling on hard surfaces.
  • The natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants contained in fruits and vegetables are essential for healthy joints and a healthy body.

Recent studies have shown that long-term use of the nutritional supplement, Glucosamine, can not only assist with DJD symptoms, but might help to rebuild joint cartilage.

Chiropractic adjustments are not only safe, but an effectual treatment for arthritis, and can assist in restoring proper mobility and function to the spinal joints, thereby giving patients great relief. Your Chicago chiropractor has many of years of experience in helping people with arthritis pain. In addition, chiropractic modalities such as joint mobilization, ultrasound, cold laser therapy, massage and electro-therapy may be used to aid in the treatment of painful and stiff joints. Sometimes a brace is used to help stabilize the joint in an effort to alleviate pain. Movement is vital to the maintenance of arthritic joints. A chiropractor often suggests gentle, mobilizing activities such as stretching, yoga, and tai chi can be beneficial.

Gout

Gouty arthritis is produced by increased levels of uric acid in the blood and the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints. The most common joints are the big toes, the knees, ankles and wrists, and is often characterized by acute pain and swelling. Most people who develop gout are predisposed through heredity, though episodes are more often than not brought on by binge eating of agitative foods, when dehydrated or fasting, or after a major surgery or illness. Foods that need to be avoided have a natural substance called Purines that are metabolized in the liver to form uric acid. People with this condition cannot effectively metabolize uric acid, thus the buildup in the bloodstream and the subsequent joint problems. The foods most connected with high purine content are: red meat especially organ meat, certain seafood, legumes, mushrooms and other foods as well. There are other dietary restrictions that must be followed including refraining from drinking alcohol.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of systemic origin. The direct cause is not known, but it is thought to be due to a problem with the immune system. The most common joints affected are the small joints of the hands and fingers, the feet, knees, and shoulder, while other areas of the body can be affected as well. Morning stiffness irritated by movement is generally associated with the disease. Frequently people complain of general malaise and fatigue, and the disease in its more advanced forms can affect many of the other body systems. There are specific blood tests to help identify Rheumatoid arthritis that can be easily run. Management includes medication and vitamin and diet therapy, as well as chiropractic manipulations. In addition, joint mobilization and modalities such as ultrasound, heat, electro-therapy and massage can help with the pain and stiffness associated the condition. Your Chicago chiropractor is dedicated to assisting sufferers in getting relief from the pain and suffering associated with arthritis.

Published by Relief For Back Pain

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