The Case Against Massage Therapy

Read this immediately if you've ever used
massage to treat painful muscles, or plan to get
a therapeutic massage anytime in the near future

From the Desk of:
Steve Hefferon

I have a confession to make as a massage therapist.

If you've ever gotten a massage to treat muscle-pain in your neck & back, legs & hips or some other part of your body... you probably didn't need to spend the money.

Because there are FOUR MAJOR FLAWS with massage therapy you should know about.

President Kennedy's Doctor Unveils the Hidden
Cause of Almost All Pain

Massage Therapy Flaw #1: Massage is not a one-time fix for muscle pain. You feel great when you get one and for awhile afterwards.

But a week or two goes by and your muscles start to hurt again. For lasting relief you'll need to go back often, and at $80-$150 a pop massage therapy gets very expensive over time.

Massage Therapy Flaw #2: Because it's so expensive you put off going for months at a time. Some people almost never get the treatments they need for no other reason than they can't afford them.

It's a shame. You shouldn't have to be Donald Trump to get relief from painful muscles.

Massage Therapy Flaw #3: You're not getting instant treatment. You have to schedule a session, wait around with painful muscles for days or weeks.

It would be so much better if you could get a deep-tissue massage whenever you want it.

Massage Therapy Flaw #4: You can walk away feeling worse than before the massage. Some people hate getting deep-tissue massages because they feel so bad afterward.

Why? Because aggressive massage creates micro-tears in the muscles, often activating dormant trigger points, causing pain.

In a perfect world you'd have a personal
masseuse CAREFULLY massage away your aches and pains
each and every night...

Well, say hello to a perfect world ....

You're going to love this.

There is a way to get a "personal masseuse" to give you gentle, deep massages every day of the year - and you don't have to spend $30,000 to keep him on staff.

I'm talking about a home massage-therapy system you can use right away to melt away the tiny knots in your muscles.

For about 40-cents a day you can get a daily deep-tissue massage to relive life's aches and pains - with NONE of the drawbacks of traditional massage therapy...

You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars all year long to get relief...You don't need to put off getting your massage because it costs so much... You don't have to wait a month in between massages ...

You don't need to suffer through aggressive massages because you'll have all the time in the world to get a gentle massage ...

Your headaches... neck & jaw pain...
back-pain... joint-pain... even the numbness
in your hands and feet - are all likely caused by trigger-points in your muscles!

Here at The Healthy Back Institute we've talked a lot about how trigger points - the tiny knots that form in your muscles - are the source of so many types of pain ...

Discovered by President John F. Kennedy's doctor, trigger points in muscles are increasingly becoming recognized as the cause of up 75% of muscle and tissue pain. Seventy-five percent!

These dime-sized landmines in your tissues cause your muscles to tighten and shorten. And because they tighten your muscles they start to change the way your body moves.

They limit the movement in one muscle causing it to weaken over time. You've probably experienced trigger-point pain before - here's how to tell for sure ... Have you ever tried to rub a sore, painful muscle and no matter what you did you couldn't quite "get" to the painful spot? Those are trigger points! It's called "referred pain" and it's when the real cause of the pain is a point in the muscle but you FEEL the pain several inches away - so you can never quite find the perfect spot to massage.

I'd like to send you a 90 minute video
and a trigger-point guidebook to show you
how to identify your body's trigger-points

In them you'll get an atlas of your body's trigger-points so you can find the (often surprising) points to relieve pain you may have had for years - including ...

• •  Trigger-points causing mid-back pain
• •  Trigger-points causing low-back pain
• •  Trigger-points causing upper-back pain
• •  Trigger points causing hip and leg pain
• •  Trigger points causing neck pain
• •  Trigger-points causing shoulder pain
• •  ...And more!

Plus, you'll get the home-treatment system that
applies deep pressure to silence your trigger-points

Developed by a board-certified neurological chiropractor, this advanced self-treatment system gives you a massage therapist on call.

Easy to use, it completely relaxes your muscles by using your body weight to apply deep, gentle pressure to trigger-points in your muscles.

Plus, your Trigger Point Self-Treatment System is really like having a small army of therapists to help you because you get special treatment techniques to fully deactivate your trigger points ...

Gentle Deep-Tissue Massage: If you're body is sensitive you can use the Variable therapeutic compression technique to get relief without overworking your muscles ...

Do-it-Yourself Myofascial Release: Experience amazing relief when you loosen and relax the spider-web of connective tissue running through your muscles ...

Fibromyalgia? The Position Release Technique is perfect for you, if regular massage has ever hurt you, this methods is perfect ...

Stretch Your Spine: You can even do spinal-traction and decompression with this system to relieve the effects of gravity on your spinal -system ...

And that's just for starters!

Plus your order is 100% RISK-FREE because you have
365 days (a FULL YEAR) to put it to the test...

I know not every solution is for everyone. Something that works miracles for one person doesn't always help someone else.

That's why we're offering this fool-proof guarantee:

Try it out for a year and if at any time you're not absolutely delighted with the relief you get by having an in-house self-massage system, just return it for a FULL AND COMPLETE REFUND.

Call us now toll-free at 1-800-216-4908 or order your system using our secure online shopping cart.

It's simple. We're out to help you, not soak you and we figure if we let you try it for a year you'll LOVE the way it makes you feel.

Just to recap all the things you'll get...

You'll get a 90-Minute video explaining how to find all the trigger points causing you pain...

You'll get treatment instructions so you know exactly how to get rid of your pain-causing trigger points...

You'll get a Trigger-Point Guide Book detailing:

• •  Step-by-step pictures of how to treat different types of pain...
• •  A compete trigger-point guide showing over 27 major areas trigger points appear on your body...
• •  How to find treatment points and what to do with them ...
• •  A pictorial treatment guide so you can SEE how to treat your painful muscles (this is the key)...
• •  Special therapeutic techniques you can use to get the most out of the system...
• •  The Trigger-Point Treatment Platform with 16 massage "digits" to fit all the nooks and crannies of your muscles to get rid of all types of pain...

Plus, you get a FULL YEAR to try the system out and be 100% confident that you absolutely love using it, or you can your MONEY-BACK.

Since there's no risk to you, why not give it a shot? Why not get a massage every day? You deserve it! Plus you are going to just love how quickly you'll be able to silence those nagging aches and pains!

Sincerely,
Steve Hefferon, CMT, PTA

P.S. Don't take my word for it, ask the folks who've already used it...

"Incredible!"

"This system is incredible! I can move, run, and exercise again. It is fantastic to know that I can do something positive to get rid of my pain. I threw out all of my pills. Now I just pop on the system and dig out those trigger points."

Cindy T. Macon, GA

"I'm not in constant pain anymore!"

"My life is so much easier to handle without being in constant pain. The system has given me the freedom I was looking for. Everyone needs to try one!"

Sam M. New York NY

"My whiplash is GONE!"

"Because of a whiplash injury, I had years of chronic upper back and neck pain, but not anymore! Thanks to this unique fantastic little device.""

Susan H. Pittsburgh, PA

http://www.losethebackpain.com/aff/index.php?p=chusiong&w=LTBP-TPT

Spinal Stenosis

What It Is and How to Treat It

By Steve Hefferon, CMT, CPTA

What Is It?

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the spine cord. It can also be a narrowing of the area where the nerve branches exit the spinal column, thus causing lower back pain or pain that radiates down the legs.

Stenosis of the spine can be a painful and debilitating problem that often affects individuals 40 years of age or older. It can develop in both the cervical and the lumbar areas of the spine. Most research suggests that it affects men and women equally in the lumbar area.

What Causes It?

In some cases spinal stenosis is congenital; there can be imperfections in the development of the segments of the spine. In most cases it is just part of the aging process with various conditions contributing to its development, such as a herniated disc, osteoporosis, calcification over growth, scar tissue build up or even a tumor.

The Symptoms

The level and intensity of the symptoms may be different for each person. The frequency and intensity will also vary. The condition itself does not necessarily mean you have to experience negative symptoms. However, when coupled with inflammation, poor posture and the activities of daily living that strain the back, once can certainly experience the symptoms of pain, numbness and stiffness (which are all also symptoms of Sciatica).

How is the Condition Diagnosed?

To be diagnosed with spinal stenosis, your primary care physician will go over your medical history and conduct a physical examination. During the physical exam, you likely will be asked to do a few simple physical tests so your doctor can see if your range of motion has been affected. You will also be asked to answer some specific questions about your symptoms. In addition, any of the following tests may be used to help properly diagnose this condition: x-rays, MRI, CAT scan, myelogram and bone scan.

Most Common Treatments

A common treatment for spinal stenosis is to restrict movement. Corticosteroid injections may help reduce the swelling. Commonly used drugs include acetaminophen (Tylenol), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Non-drug treatments include hot packs, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and therapeutic exercises. Stimulating blood flow using massage or a hot tub may also help. If your condition does not improve after this kind of treatment, surgery may be an option.

Why do Traditional Treatments Fail?

Most traditional treatments fail to provide long-term relief because they merely address the symptoms and fail to address the cause of the condition. Unless the cause is fully understood, trying to get rid of the problem becomes a guessing game. One thing is certain: No treatment has been found to be the “one thing that works for everyone.”

Which Treatments Work Best?

The first thing to do is make sure you get the very best and most up-to-date information you can on the condition, including your own experimentation with what you can tolerate and what works best for you. There maybe some missing links in your treatment plan, so never stop learning and trying new things. Everyone with spinal stenosis has trigger points and everyone should have a way to administer self trigger point therapy everyday, immediately followed by muscle balance therapy to restore balance and proper function of the muscles and joints. Learn to take time for yourself and relax. The use of far-infrared heat can help immensely, as it is deep-penetrating and dramatically improves the blood flow to the area in question for very quick relief and improved range of motion. The use of ice and or heat can help control inflammation, pain and stiffness. Other natural approaches, including proteolytic enzyme therapy, can be of benefit to help control the symptom of the condition.

50 Years of Back Pain Gone in Just Days!

Jerry Talisman had suffered from chronic back pain on and off for over 50 years. Like most people, he had tried it all… chiropractors, physical therapy, he even overdosed on tylenol but nothing gave him lasting relief until he discovered muscle balance therapy.

Unlike most treatments which only deliver temporary relief, if any at all, muscle balance therapy delivers lasting relief to 8 out of 10 people who use it because it addresses the underlying cause of the pain, not just the symptoms.

If you suffer from any type of back pain, neck pain or sciatica, I urge you to learn more about this breakthrough new treatment. Click here to learn more…

- See more at: http://www.losethebackpain.com/conditions/spinal-stenosis/#sthash.VeiBfWwj.dpuf
http://www.losethebackpain.com/aff/index.php?p=chusiong&w=StenArt

Sciatica: What Causes It and How to Treat It Effectively

By Jesse Cannone

If you're reading this article, it's a good bet that you have a radiating pain running down the back of your leg that just won't go away. If what I'm about to tell you sounds familiar, don't worry, help is on the way.

I guarantee you that what you are about to read will likely be far different than what you have read or heard anywhere else!

First, let me tell you why today's traditional treatment methods for sciatic nerve pain just flat out miss the boat. The medical community is often times so conditioned and focused on treating only the symptoms that they fail to address the cause of the problem. That is why I wrote this article, because the more educated your are about your body the more likely you are to get the best results and the fastest relief.

In order to get rid of your sciatica once and for all, you must first know what is causing your pain... there are 4 primary conditions that can cause sciatica.

But, just knowing your condition is not enough, you need to dig down one more level of reasoning and that is to find out why you now have one or more of the 4 conditions.

As you read through on, you will note a common theme, that common theme is the key to your success for quick and lasting relief.

Condition #1 - Piriformis Syndrome

The most common cause of sciatic pain is created when pressure is placed on the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle.

Muscle imbalances pull the hip joints and pelvis out of place and this changes the positioning of the piriformis muscle, in relation to the nerve, which then places pressure on the sciatic nerve. The area gets inflamed and than you are caught in this cycle of pain and spasm.

Simple right? So, if you believe that, than I ask you what good does treating the symptoms do to get lasting pain relief? In my opinion none, but most likely that is all you have done. Just one more quick question, did any of your health care providers check you for muscle imbalances? If not, the help I promised is here.

Through defining piriformis Syndrome we have identified the first mention of Muscle Imbalances and what I believe to be the root cause of Sciatica.

What The Heck Is a Muscle Imbalance Anyway?

When one muscle overpowers the opposing muscle or when there is a difference in flexibility of opposing muscles or a combination strength and flexibility.

Think Tug-of-War...

When your muscles are out of balance they pull your bones and joints out of their normal position and this places your muscles, bones and joints under constant stress and uneven pressure...

For example, the proper position of your hips and curvature of your spine are determined by numerous muscles and whether they are balanced or not... There are over 640 muscles in the human body and everything we do affects them. From sitting too much to playing the sports we love and if just one of these muscles are out of balance you're in trouble...

Lets move on to the other three conditions and let me show you more of the common theme.

Condition #2 - Herniated Discs

Pressure caused by a herniated or bulging disc can cause Sciatica. A herniation is when a disc protrudes out from between the vertebrae and this can either be caused by an event like a car accident, or, by months or years of uneven pressure due to muscle imbalances. This can sometimes cause sciatic pain, but it is also important to note that many people with herniated discs don't even experience pain or symptoms, and many don't know they have the condition.

Strange but true, I believe that is has to do with the degree and extent of their imbalances.

Condition #3 - Spinal Stenosis

Pressure caused by spinal Stenosis, which is a narrowing of the space within the spinal canal. If you have Sciatica from spinal Stenosis than there is a good bet that your muscle imbalances are pulling your hip and spine into an abnormal position which helps contribute to the contact which cause the pressure.

Condition #4 - Isthmic Spondylolisthesis

Pressure caused by Isthmic spondylolisthesis which is simply when a vertebrae slips or moves... this can sometimes pinch the sciatic nerve but often times people who have this condition don't have any sciatic pain, symptoms, or even know they have it!

As you can see, there is a trend here...

In Nearly Every Case Of Sciatica, Muscle Imbalances Are The Primary Cause Of The Pressure Being Placed On The Sciatic Nerve...

But how do Muscle Imbalances develop, either through a traumatic event, or through a long process of lifestyle choices, or a combination of both...

The event scenario is most likely the catalyst for sudden onset of sciatic pain. So what happens… when there is undue stress on the Piriformis muscle that stress causes it to go into spasm inflammation develops in the area and then you have pain due to the Piriformis muscle putting pressure on the sciatic nerve.

In most cases, people go to physical therapy or minimize their physical activity to break the pain-spasm cycle and in most cases your symptoms subside. However... the event will also set you up for a lifetime of sciatic pain if the muscles of the hips do not return to balance from both a strength and flexibility stand point.

When you have an injury to a muscle, both strength and flexibility are compromised. If your recovery ends (meaning your effort) before strength and flexibility return, you may never be 100% again and will likely struggle with the problem throughout your life.

The other way sciatic pain creeps into your life is due to your lifestyle and habits, and that is what we like to call the process. The process can be described as a prolonged onset of symptoms based on your everyday activities...

However, from a technical stand point the process really describes the development of the muscle imbalance in your hip. The Piriformis muscle is responsible for external rotation (moving your leg so your feet point outward). So over time that muscle gets tight from the positions you put yourself in and it weakens from lack of use.

Let me give you some examples of what I mean:

1.  If you sit on the edge of your chair with you legs separated and your feet pointing outward you are keeping your Piriformis muscle in a shortened position and that's how it gets tight and with extended sitting in that position, it gets weak form lack of use. Hence the imbalance!

2.  Another example are the runners and bikers who actually work very hard, they tend to get sciatica because they fail to keep a strength vs. stretch balance in their workouts. Hence the imbalance creates a greater pull toward external rotation and the result is a tight Piriformis and an irritated sciatic nerve creating pain.

These are just two examples of how muscle imbalances can affect the Piriformis muscle and cause sciatic pain. You may not be a runner or cyclist but I'll bet you have muscle imbalances that are causing your sciatic pain!

So how do you get rid of your sciatic pain?

If you are not sure which one of the four is causing your sciatica, I recommend you start with the basics. Most cases of sciatic pain are caused by muscle imbalances so if you begin to work on correcting any muscle imbalances you have, you should start to see improvement right away.... and likely eliminate your sciatic pain in a few weeks or less!

Will learning one new stretch be enough? It very well may be. However depending on the severity of your condition you may need to change your activities of daily living to include new stretches, new exercises that include the use of the hip rotators like roller-blading, basketball, tennis, etc, and even better, specific corrective exercise specific to correct your imbalances that you have and that are appropriate for your situation...

As always, learn as much as you can about your condition, so that you can ask the tough questions to your healthcare providers and get the best care possible.

http://www.losethebackpain.com/aff/index.php?p=chusiong&w=LTBP-SCTCA

What Are Systemic Proteolytic Enzymes and How Can You Benefit from Them?

By Steven Hefferon, CMT, PTA, CPRS

Proteolytic enzymes, also referred to as "proteases," are enzymes that break down proteins into their smallest elements. If this breakdown of proteins happens in your gut, we call the enzymes "digestive," because they help us digest our food. Systemic proteolytic enzymes, however, have a completely different purpose, so please don't confuse the two.

When taken on an empty stomach, proteolytic enzymes will pass through the stomach or intestine lining and enter the circulatory system. This is why they are called "systemic" - once they enter the circulatory system, they circulate throughout the body.

Why are systemic proteolytic enzymes important?

The most important thing that systemic proteolytic enzymes do is to break down excess fibrin in your circulatory system and in other connective tissue, such as your muscles. These enzymes bring nutrients and oxygen-rich blood that remove the metabolic waste produced by inflammation and excess fibrin.

For example, If you have an injury or are recovering from a painful condition of any kind and your blood flow is restricted, you will have a longer recovery process. In addition, the exchange of nutrients and oxygen in your body will be limited, and there will be an will have a longer recovery but an increase in pain and inflammation.

I searched long and hard to find this incredible image (left) of red blood cells caught in a web of excess fibrin. The fibrin is causing a physical restriction of blood flow. If you look closely, you can see that the cells are actually stuck. Ultimately, those red blood cells cannot get into the capillaries to oxygenate and nourish your muscles and remove the metabolic waste that is causing your pain.

One more important thing to understand: Whenever you're recovering from a muscle irritation, injury, or surgery, the body uses fibrin to help heal itself. This is normal and healthy. The only problem is that with poor blood flow and a lack of enzyme activity, that fibrin will start to accumulate. If the area in question is slow to heal, an excess of fibrin will appear as clumps of scar tissue in the muscle or at the surgical site. Once this happens, you acute condition becomes chronic.

Now that you know that excess fibrin throughout your circulatory system will severely limit the amount of blood flow to areas that need it the most, you may be wondering how the body tries to compensate for this restriction. The answer is simple: by forcing the heart to work harder and increasing your blood pressure.

How do you know if you have too much fibrin?

As I have noted, the body will do what it needs to do to keep us alive - sometimes at great cost to your overall health. Some possible indicators of excess fibrin in your system include: chronic fatigue, slow healing, inflammation and pain, and elevated blood pressure. There is also a medical test to measure something called "blood monomers."

The dangers of too much fibrin...

The medical community has long known that excess fibrin presents a cardiac and stroke risk. Finally, they have acknowledged a link between excess fibrin and chronic systemic inflammation, the true root cause of virtually every disease and painful condition know to man.

Which conditions do proteolytic enzymes help and how?

The list below is only a sample of the types of conditions that can be addressed with systemic proteolytic enzymes. If you are still wondering how one little substance can support all of these conditions, remember that they all have one thing in common - excess fibrin, which causes a reduction in blood flow.

Arthritis
Atherosclerosis
Back Pain
Chronic Fatigue
Chronic Pain
Fibrocystic Breast
Fibromyalgia
High Blood Pressure

Herniated Disc
Hyper-coagulation
Sciatica
Spinal Stenosis
Strains and Sprains
Post-operative Scar Tissue
Traumatic Inflammation
Uterine Fibroids

---

Which would you rather take - a pain killer or a healing enzyme?

Truth is, very few pain killers help heal the body, and in most cases the side effects are rather unpleasant. On the other hand, systemic proteolytic enzymes support the body's ability to heal itself, and they reduce the signs and symptoms of a chronic condition.

Can proteolytic enzymes be used with other pain meds?

I knew you were going to ask. Yes, enzymes can used if you are taking low-dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as long as they are taken 60 minutes apart.

How about clinical research?

Where is the proof? There are untold numbers of clinical studies that have been done on proteolytic enzymes, and we have 76 of the most relevant studies listed on our site. Let's not forget that these enzymes have been in use in Europe for more than 50 years. And in Japan, some proteolytic enzymes are classified as prescription drugs.

Where do proteolytic enzymes come form?

Some are animal-bases, some are plant-based - such as Bromelain and Papain - and some are fungus-based, such as Serrazimes®.

Which types are best and why?

I recommend plant- and fungus-based enzymes because they tolerate the gastric environment better, so more of the enzymes make their way into the circulatory system.

How long does it take to start to work?

Enzymes go to work immediately. The big difference between enzymes and vitamins is the way they are measured. Enzymes are not measured by weight; they are measured in Units of Fibrolytic Activity, which means how much fibrin they break down in a set amount of time.

The questions you really want answered are: "How long will it take to get pain relief and reduce my inflammation?" and "How fast will my healing happen?" Truth is, there is no simple answer because the healing process and outcome will be different for everyone.

There are a number of factors that bear on how fast the enzymes will work for you, including dosage, quality of sleep, diet, and physical activity. Even the very treatments you are undergoing to try to get better could be holding you back.

Are proteolytic enzymes safe for continued use?

Yes, proteolytic enzymes should be considered safe for continued use. There are three suggested usage protocols: one is a rotation of 12 weeks on and 4 weeks off; two is to take them continuously; and three is to take them on as-needed basis.

Who should not take proteolytic enzymes?

1. Individuals taking prescription blood thinners (Coumadin, Heparin, Plavix)
2. Anyone who will be having surgery in less than two weeks
3. Individuals with known ulcers of the stomach
4. Pregnant or lactating women
5. Individuals currently taking antibiotics
6. Individuals with an allergic reaction to pineapples or papayas

Are there any side effects?

Proteolytic enzymes have an excellent safety record, with no significant side effects reported. With any supplement, however, there is always the risk of developing an allergy to one or more ingredients. If this happens, you should discontinue use.

Choosing to try systemic proteolytic enzymes.

Remember, the enzymes are supporting the healing process, so recovery from any condition is going to take time. You don't just take the enzymes and expect to get better immediately. By using these enzymes as part of a well-planned recovery process, you're making a commitment to doing what it takes to make improvements in your life.

Everything I've told you so far I learned from people who are far more knowledgeable than I am about the role enzymes play in helping us achieve optimal health.

So, when I say that I had a hand in creating Heal-n-Soothe™ - albeit a small hand - I nevertheless did my part, which was to find the world's best enzyme formulators. Once I had done that, I told them to make me the best product in the world - and that's exactly what they did.

Without question, the Heal-n-Soothe™ formula has the highest fibrolytic activity of any product in the world per dose. Our formulators blended 11 ingredients that would have a cascading effect, which means that they help support the work of the enzymes and deliver even more beneficial results.

I'm not a big fan of taking a lot of supplements. I drink my multivitamin and pop my enzymes - that's it. I know that trying to figure out which supplements to take can be overwhelming and that taking supplements can get expensive. Still, I look at supplements as a long-term investment toward achieving optimal health.

So, if working toward optimal health is your goal and you think that your life and your body would benefit form having less fibrin and better blood flow, then you should seriously consider enzymes.

If you do decide to try enzymes, do me one favor: Never - ever - buy an enzyme that lists the dose in milligrams (mg) or has "Proprietary Enzyme Blend" on the label.

Enzymes are not measured in mg and should not be sold in mg. "Proprietary Enzyme Blend" is a shady way of not telling you the consumer how much enzyme is in the product, so don't support a company that cannot be honest with you. Demand full disclosure on the label.

http://www.losethebackpain.com/aff/index.php?p=chusiong&w=LFZM-AffArticle

The Pros and Cons of Common Pain Relievers

When it comes to pain relief, most people turn first to their medicine cabinet. But most people also have more than one pain reliever to choose from. There are so many options—Advil, Tylenol, Excedrin, good old aspirin and all sorts of generic and prescription alternatives.

The question is: which bottle should you reach for when your back pain flares up? That's not always an easy question to answer. As with all medicines, every type of pain reliever has benefits and risks. Plus, specific types of pain may respond better to one kind of medication than to another kind. And everyone reacts differently to different meds. What takes away your pain might not work for someone else.

So, how do you choose? First, you can review the pros and cons of each.

Over-The-Counter Pain Medicines

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are good for many types of pain. There are basically two types of OTC medicines:

1. Acetaminophen (common brand: Tylenol).

PROS: Acetaminophen is a non-aspirin pain reliever, so it may be easier on your stomach than aspirin. It is also safer for children. It can be used to lower a fever and soothe headaches and other common aches and pains, including back pain.

CONS: Acetaminophen does not reduce swelling (inflammation). It can be harmful to the liver if you take more than the recommended dose.

2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

PROS: NSAIDs, which include aspirin, naproxen (common brand: Aleve) and ibuprofen (common brand: Advil), relieve pain and reduce inflammation caused by injury, arthritis, or fever. NSAIDs work by reducing the production of hormone-like substances that cause pain.

CONS: They may cause gastrointestinal bleeding. They may also be harmful if you have high blood pressure or kidney disease. And they should NEVER be given to children. Aspirin has been associated with a disease called Reye's syndrome in children.

Prescription Pain Medicines

When OTC medicines fail, your doctor may have you try prescription painkillers:

1. COX-2 inhibitors.

PROS: This class of drugs blocks an inflammation-promoting substance called COX-2. They were initially believed to work as well as traditional NSAIDs, but with fewer stomach problems.

CONS: Numerous reports of heart attacks and stroke have prompted the FDA to re-evaluate the risks and benefits of the COX-2s. COX-2 drugs such as Vioxx and Celebrex were actually taken off the market because of these risks.

2. Narcotic painkillers.

PROS: Commonly used opioids, which include oxycodone (OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvon), hydrocodone (Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), and diphenoxylate (Lomotil), are very strong and powerful painkillers.

CONS: Narcotic drug abuse and addiction are a real possibility. An estimated 20 percent of people in the United States have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons. The problem is serious and it is growing. The availability of drugs is probably one reason. Doctors are prescribing more drugs for more health problems than ever before. Online pharmacies make it easy to get prescription drugs without a prescription, even for youngsters.

Other Considerations

When shopping for pain meds, there are other things to consider as well. Such as:

• Buffered. A buffered pain reliever contains an antacid to reduce acidity in the stomach. But it's debatable whether buffered products actually help.
• Combination formula. Some products contain two or more active ingredients. Caffeine is sometimes used as an active ingredient in addition to other pain relievers (such as Excedrin). Studies show that the addition of caffeine to aspirin or acetaminophen improves pain relief.
• Timed-release. Also called extended-release or sustained-release, these products dissolve slowly. They prolong the effect of the medication by maintaining a sustained level of the active ingredient in your blood. They are better for long-lasting relief, but not as good if the pain comes on quickly and severely.
• Extra-strength. These products contain more active ingredient than regular-strength products. For example, an extra-strength Tylenol has 500 milligrams of acetaminophen, compared with 325 milligrams in the regular-strength version. Extra-strength formulas may be more convenient when you need more than one regular-strength dose to relieve your symptoms. But be careful. Keep track of dosages so you don't overdose. Also make sure other meds you take don't contain the same active ingredient, such as cold medicines, so you don't accidentally overdose.
• Active ingredient. This is the actual chemical or chemicals that relieve your symptoms. Note the amount of active ingredient in each dose — usually expressed in milligrams (mg). Typically, you can choose among several pain medications that have the same active ingredient and dose. This is where generics can save you money. Brand-name pain relievers, such as Tylenol, aren't any better than their generic equivalents, such as your local drugstore brand acetaminophen. So you can choose the best price or for a preferred method of delivery—capsule instead of tablet, for example.

Drugs Don't Heal

The smartest way to choose a pain reliever is to go over your choices with your doctor. The doctor will know your medical history, the other meds your on and other factors that can help you pick the right pain reliever for your condition.

But remember, drugs don't fix the problem, they only mask the pain. Pain relief medications should only be used temporarily. And they should be used in conjunction with all of the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects that promote healing.

Still not comfortable making up your mind?

If you are still concerned, there are several natural alternatives to choose from. The first is the homeopathic category, derived from botanicals that are then put through a process of dilution and succession to derive their potency.

Here are just two examples of homeopathies: bryonia, from the bryony plant, and Rhus toxicodendron, from the Poison Ivy vine. Both reduce pain and inflammation.

Then there are dietary supplements, vitamins and minerals, other botanicals and a little known, unique and very effective class of supplements called proteolytic systemic enzymes.

Here are just some of the many supplements derived from plants that help with pain and inflammation: bromelain from pineapple, papain from papaya, ginger, turmeric, boswellia and devil's claw.

Homeopathic remedies and supplements have their pros and cons too.

PROS: Both homeopathic remedies and supplements work synergistically with the body to both help the body with the symptoms of a condition and help the body heal. They have minimal side effects, are abundantly available and are inexpensive.

CONS: Neither homeopathic remedies and supplements are as powerful or as potent as pharmaceutical drugs. That's one reason why supplements can be used long term to maintain health and promote well-being. There are not a lot of scientific data about their effectiveness.

What to do...

I hope you have learned something about the different considerations when choosing a pain medication. The hope is that you stay safe and remain healthy by eating right and exercising over the long haul and not letting the daily grind run you down.

If you find yourself in dire straits about what to do about pain, it could help to think BOTH short term--using drugs to help take the edge off—and long term--taking daily supplements for health and healing.

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Pregnancy and Lower Back Pain

By Dr. Thomas Sullivan

The decisions of picking a name... The anticipation and excitement... Painting the new room... Clothing, diapers and family celebrations. The joy of a pregnancy is one of life's greatest pleasures. Unfortunately however, for many women the later months of pregnancy can prove to be quite challenging. One common problem many women face is lower back pain.

Lower back pain can be a horrible interruption in day-to-day activities for a pregnant woman. More importantly, it interferes with their quality of life, not to mention the enjoyment of one of the most memorable times of their life.

The obvious cause of lower back pain is the biomechanical stress being placed on the mother by the added weight of baby. As the baby gains weight the mother is pulled forward. In order to compensate for this forward pull, the mother has to lean her upper body backward. This puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the low back and pelvis.

This explanation of low back pain sounds complete. It is a true explanation but is only a small part the problem. The "hidden" cause of lower back pain is actually muscle imbalances. In fact muscle imbalances are a common cause of lower back pain in pregnancy but it is also responsible for back pain in a majority of the population...

The strength and tone of the muscular system is an extremely important factor when assessing a patient with lower back pain. Unfortunately, muscle imbalances are not addressed properly by most health practitioners... but just because they are not trained in identifying and addressing muscle imbalances, it doesn’t mean you have to continue to suffer...

But before I share with you the solution to this problem, let me first explain in more detail what a muscle imbalance is and how it causes back pain and sciatica...

In a nutshell, muscle imbalances work like this. Muscles work together with opposing muscles to allow movement at joints. One muscle stretches while the other shortens. Each side should be of equal tone and strength. When a pregnant woman walks, moves, bends, twists or sleeps she will typically do so in an unbalanced and awkward manner to accommodate for her increased weight. In addition, various everyday activities and positions we put our body in create imbalances in the muscle groups and during pregnancy it only worsens...

Muscle imbalances then pull the pelvis and low back out of alignment and this places uneven and excessive stress on the muscles, bones and joints.

The spine is comprised of 24 moveable bones with a shock-absorbing disc in between each bone. This spinal column rests on three large bones called the pelvic girdle. When this spinal column is in proper alignment it will carry a majority of the weight and stress being placed on the body. When one or more of these 24 bones misaligns, especially the pelvis, the muscles work overtime so to speak. They now have to carry the weight that the spinal column is supposed to handle. At this point the muscles are unbalanced and are very prone to an injury. Lower back pain is the most common expression of this problem.

If the above scenario takes place then the stage has been set for lower back pain and dysfunction. Not only does the soon to be Mom have to deal with safely carrying the baby, she has to now do it with a painful lower back. Let's face it, the soon to be Mom is going to be in pain and she is not going to enjoy her most cherished time in life.

The Solution

The solution is based on a better understanding of muscle imbalances and how your body works... The first thing you have to do is fully understand what muscle imbalances are, how they are created and how they cause back pain and sciatica...

Once you understand muscle imbalances the next step is to identify the ones you have and understand how they are creating your pain... after you have identified the imbalances is when you can then begin addressing them with the right combination of corrective exercises, stretches and treatments...

Unfortunately, there are very few healthcare professionals that are trained and experienced in addressing muscle imbalances... the good news is you can find out what imbalances you have on your own by performing simple self assessments or tests. You can learn more about how to identify and address your muscle imbalances by visitingLoseTheBackPain.com.

You can learn more about how to identify and address your muscle imbalances with the Lose The Back Pain System. Get Started Here...

Dr. Thomas Sullivan, got his undergraduate degree from The Johns Hopkins University in 1993 and received his Decorate of Chiropractic in 1997 from Life College of Chiropractic, he is a Certified Active Release Practitioner and Director of Sullivan Chiropractic and Muscle Therapy Center in Manhattan NY.

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Nutrition and Back Pain

Can Proper Nutrition and Supplementation Heal Your Back Pain?

By Steven Hefferon, CMT, CTP, CPRS

Anyone looking to achieve optimal health has to consider nutrition as the single most important ingredient for success. In a perfect world, all of our nutrition should come from the food we eat. Supplementation should not even be an issue.

In the real world, however, most of the foods we eat are riddled with fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and hormones – not to mention that they are often hydrated with polluted water. In addition, an ever-growing percentage of our food comes from other countries, which don’t always have the best inspection track record.

And if all that weren’t bad enough, the natural nutrient value of the soil that produces these foods has also been diminishing over the years, a trend that will only continue. This is why it’s necessary for us to take a hard look at our diets and make a decision about whether we may need supplements.

As you can see, proper nutrition nowadays is not that easy; it does take some time to educate yourself. By proper nutrition, I mean eating clean and safe foods that have the nutrients your body requires to get and stay healthy.

Recipe for relief

Your two main purposes for eating a healthy diet and taking supplements are to give your body what it needs to heal itself and to minimize the level of inflammation that is in your body. The inflammation is what is causing your pain.

Drugs that fight pain do little, if anything, to help the body heal itself. In fact, some of these drugs can have severe negative side effects, so please consider eating right as an alternative.

If you are suffering from any form of back pain or sciatica, I have a recipe for relief. This is a vary basic look at how foods and supplements can help heal the body.

Water: Some people believe that we get enough water from our foods and don’t need to drink much of it. Others believe that we need to drink 50 to 100 ounces per day – every day. Truth is, your body will tell you what it needs; you just need to know how to listen. Here are some signs that you may need to be drinking more water: constipation, muscle spasm or cramping, and darker urine. If you’re taking any medication, or if your blood pressure is not stable – certainly if it’s too high – you may not want to drink lots of water.

Protein: Proteins are the building blocks of our bodies. Without an adequate supply of quality protein, your body will actually steal protein from itself to meet its basic needs. This is a sure way to slow down the healing process. There are probably 10,000 theories on which are the best proteins and how much a person should get each day.

In my opinion, a safe and healthy amount to shoot for is 3 to 7 grams per pound of body weight. For example, a 100-pound person should get 30 to 70 grams of protein per day.

A personal note: I do not eat soy anymore because it has phytoestrogens, which are very bad for the man tool. Phytoestrogens can also cause hormonal imbalances, among a number of other bad things, in some women.

Instead, I eat proteins that come from the top of the food chain. Most chickens peck the ground and eat grains, dirt, and their own excrement. I only eat free-range beef, lamb, and wild salmon.

My favorite protein source is fish – but never farm-raised. Farm-raised fish swim around in their own excrement and are fed man-made pellets fashioned out of who knows what. In fact, farm-raised fish have a higher Inflammation Factor (IF) than chocolate ice cream.

Fat: Fat is a critical component to a healthy diet. The question, of course, is: Which fats should you be eating? As a rule, anything that is hydrogenated or made from corn, cottonseed, or soy is not going to help you at all. This is also true of fats cooked at high temperatures.

I eat fats from fish, beef or lamb. I cook with butter and coconut fat, which I highly recommend. It adds a distinctive sweet flavor and tolerates higher temperatures much better than most oils.

Carbohydrates: Yes, carbs are important. And, no, they don’t have to make you fat. You just need to know the difference between simple and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbs break down very quickly and are found in soda, juice, and candy. They are usually go under the names “high fructose corn syrup” or “dextrose.” Simple carbs can cause an increase in inflammation. Complex carbs break down much slower and are mainly found in whole grains, legumes, and vegetables. Simple rule of thumb: Anything white – rice, bread, etc. – is not likely to do anything but fill your belly. Fiber: If you are not getting at least 35 grams of fiber a day, which very few people can do on a regular basis, you will need to supplement.

If you don’t eat it, supplement it!

That’s my rule, and that’s why I take all kinds of supplements. If you don’t get enough of the nutrients I listed above from the foods you eat, then your only choice is to use supplements to make up the difference. Otherwise, your internal systems will try to steal these nutrients from another part of your body – much the way it does with protein, water, or calcium.

The supplement industry has grown tremendously over the last decade as scientists have learned more about what our bodies require to get healthy and stay healthy. As a result of this research, new compounds have been formulated and more are being found every year. I encourage you to do your own research on each of these products. Meanwhile, here’s my quick-start guide:

Mutli-Vitamin/Mineral: I recommend that you take a complete multi-vitamin. Because vitamins and minerals work together, there needs to be synergy between them. For example, calcium needs magnesium, vitamin A needs vitamin B, vitamin B needs C, and so on. They all work together, each doing the job the other cannot; and each supplying the body what the other does not.

Having said that, I believe it is best to take a multi in liquid form because of something called “bioavailability”. This simply means that the amount of a substance the body can utilize is higher via a liquid than it is by way of a capsule or tablet.

Colon Cleanser: Since it’s so hard to get 35 grams of fiber a day from food, one tablespoon of supplemental fiber daily in juice is the answer. It has been said that if you only poop one time a day, you have up to eight meals left over in your colon. This is not healthy for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the pressure on your spine.

Digestive Enzymes: Do you ever feel as if you’re in a coma after lunch – like your body is working overtime on your meal? A full-spectrum digestive enzyme will help break down your lunch and improve your digestion, making the nutrients in your meal more readily available to your body.

Systemic Enzymes: Systemic enzymes are different than digestive enzymes. Systemic enzymes work outside the gut and are proteolytic, meaning they break down proteins. They also work on excess fibrin and scar tissue throughout the body, improving blood flow and removing any metabolic wastes, which will minimize inflammation and pain.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin: These two sulfates are found naturally in the body. Glucosamine comes from amino sugar, and it helps in the formation of cartilage at the joint. Chondroitin is what gives cartilage its elasticity. Both of these have been studied extensively, and they show a great deal of promise. What is important is the dosage, which should be based on your body weight.

Time to do your homework

I have only scratched the surface of how nutrition and supplements can help you. It’s now up to you to educate yourself further on this topic. I’ve given you some basic information, so you will at least have a good idea of what to look for.

Remember that in order to perform at its peak or to overcome an injury, your body has to work much harder. It will also have higher nutritional requirements as it tries to heal itself and overcome the symptoms of chronic inflammation. Those requirements will depend on your specific condition.

To learn more about how you can get lasting relief from your Back Pain, we suggest you read the latest copy of our Back Pain Relief Guide. Fill out the form below now and you’ll receive free instant access.

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