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Your Good Health Is Counting On It

Article Body:

Did you know that everything that gets you moving can and will contribute to your health-from walking to a high-intensity aerobics class?

 

Research shows that regular exercise can lower the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure and certain cancers. And exercise helps people manage a great number of other health issues, including depression and anxiety, arthritis, osteoporosis and maybe even dementia. Experts say that it may even help slow the aging process. And it makes you feel good!

 

The International Health, Racquet and Sports club Association (IHRSA), the nonprofit association for the fitness industry, reminds people that any physical activity is better than none. The health benefits from physical activity are cumulative. The most important thing is getting started. So, get moving-whether that means taking the stairs, parking farther out or walking on a treadmill. Newcomers to physical activity should start slowly and gradually work up to exercising for longer periods of time.

 

For many Americans, taking those first steps toward building the exercise habit can be difficult and intimidating. So, during the month of May, participating health clubs will open their doors for several days to the public, free of charge, so more Americans can benefit from the safe, supportive, and enjoyable environments that health clubs offer. It is part of the IHRSA-organized Get Active America! program to encourage more Americans to exercise for their health.

 

Whether you are a senior, a mid-lifer, a 20-something or a teen, there is a health club that can provide you with the support you need to create a workable exercise routine that fits your life. There is a network of professionals across the country eager to help.

 

Remember: It is never too late, and it’s never too little to enjoy the benefits of exercise. Do it for your health!

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Stretches and Back Pain

Back Stretching to Avert Back Pain

Stretching the back can minimize back pain. When you stretch the back, you promote healthy joints, muscles, bones, connective tissues, and so on. Stretch exercises are the action of expanding the muscles, which straightens them. Various types of stretch workouts recline and rest the back. When you perform stretch workouts, you want to make sure that you perform the actions correctly; however, otherwise, you can tear tissues, muscles, ligaments, or tendons.

 

Stretch workouts include the backstretches. To stretch the upper back, start by standing erect. Grip your hands, joining them and extending them behind the back. Next, raise the hands up, out, and stretch as far as your body will allow. Count to five, lower, and move to your starting stance, repeating the same action, counting to five.

 

Stand erect and keep your feet at the length of your shoulders. Bend the knees somewhat and lock the fingers, raising the arms to the height of your shoulders. Push the arms ahead while avoid leaning backwards.

 

Next, stretch the lower back. Sit on the floor, or mat and place the hands at the side. NOTE: This exercise should be avoided unless your doctor advises you otherwise if you have serious back injuries, or pain.

 

In position, lie flat on your back. Slightly lift the legs, extending them over the head. If possible, extend backwards until your toes are touching the ground surface behind you. Count to five.

 

Now, lie flat on the floor, mat, etc., and lift the upper region of the body. Keep your hands flat on the hard surface and use them for support. Keep the arms in straight line and stretch up slowly while lifting the chin and head.

 

If your back is hurting, you can also lie flat on a hard surface if your back will allow and stretch the arms over the head as far as you can reach while stretching the legs down and out as far as you can reach also. Continue until you feel your muscles release. What a great way to reduce back pain!

 

Additional stretch exercises can help you reduce back pain, as well as avoid future back pain. Stretch workouts can help you avoid injuries as well. The workouts include side, ski, knee flexes, and so forth. Give it a whirl!

 

Stand erect, and near a hard, supporting surface, such as a chair. Lift the leg at a right angle and support the leg with the chair. Hold and count to five, lower the leg and continue to the opposite side.

 

Next, perform the knee flexes. Lift your leg and place your foot on a hard surface, such as a chair. Keep the opposite leg straight and use it as support.

 

Hold the stance and count to ten. Lower the leg and continue to the opposite leg. Now do the ski. Stand erect. Extend one foot to the front and the other to the back. Lunge and gradually lower the weight of your body. Bend the front leg and rest your body weight on the hands. With the behind leg straight and the heel lifted from the ground count to ten and shift to the other leg.

 

You can continue stretch exercises to minimize pain. The workouts to continue include adductor, groin stretches, hip rotation, gluteal, hamstring stretches and so on. The more you stretch those muscles, the less pain you will feel. You should also stretch the quadriceps, calves, and so on to avoid injuries and back pain. After you finish stretching, you may want to learn how to protect the synovial joints.

 

 

Doctors often prescribe a variety of exercises, diets, stretch exercises, etc to relieve back pain. According to statistics, more than 200 million Americans alone suffer back pain. Some patients endure surgery, while others find ways to minimize the pain. Unfortunately, some people turn to alcohol and drugs to relieve such pain.

 

When pain is chronic, it makes it difficult to cope with daily duties. Most pain in the back starts at the lower region. With so much suffering, many people make a hobby out of finding relief.

 

Back pain mild or chronic can slow activities, mobility, and so on. While there are, many medical causes and sometimes mysterious causes the fact is most people in the world fail to maintain ROM of the joints by stretching and exercising regularly.

 

For this reason, back pain is the number one cause of time loss and money spent. The fact is back pain alone is one of the prime reasons that people must call in to work sick. According to statistics, the increase in back pains the total estimate of loss and medical costs soars up to $60 billion dollars annually.

 

Some people are lucky. That is some people mysterious experience back pain, and, in a few months, the pain vanishes, never returning. Lucky dogs!

 

While the large percentage of people soon recover naturally from back pain, another percentage makes up 100 and these people find relief by modifying their weight, adjusting sitting arrangements, and stretching.

 

Still, others suffer enduring back pain. Some of these people will sit inappropriately in chairs, or on couches until they lower back finally dents, forming the shape of the chair position they had sit. These people often spend a lifetime indulging in over-the-counter meds, such as analgesics. If they would get off the couch, align the back with stretch exercises and support of Chiropractors, thus the pain may disappear.

 

Still, other people suffer life-long back pain due to injuries, trauma, disease, and so on. The downside is these people rarely get the treatment they deserve, since it is rarely recommended by doctors. In short, doctors will often recommend over-the-counter medications, i.e., painkillers to resolve the problem. Doctors rarely tell patients to exercise, diet, etc. Sometimes you may hear, “Lose some weight,” yet the doctor will rarely tell the patient how it is done.

 

Painkillers work to eliminate inflammation and sometimes pain, yet what doctors fail to tell the patients is that some of these painkillers are in fact killers. In addition, painkillers do not have the same effect on all persons. For sure, some painkillers will reduce pain for some, while others may continue hurting.

 

This leads us to drug addictions and alcoholism, since these people need help coping with the pain, and if doctors are not offering that help, thus drugs and alcohol is the answer. We have another problem.

 

In view of the facts, back pain recoveries lay behind information. When a patient has an idea as to what is causing his/her pain, thus he/she can move to treatments that help them to find relief.

 

Fact: When a person is aware of cause, effect, only then can he take action to eliminate the cause. When a person is aware of cause, he moves to acceptance, in turn acceptance moves him to act.

 

How do I find the cause?

You find the cause by researching your condition. Once you begin research your eyes will open, which leads you to discuss with your doctor, treatments to eliminate your pain. Doctors prescribe medicines, recommend tests, and encourage surgeries in some instances; thus, these people rarely focus on REAL HEALTH, which includes exercise.

 

Exercise has proven to reduce even the worst back pain. Exercise has gone as far as proven to prevent death from internal injuries. Most people would ordinarily die after six months from internal injuries; however, one person stood against doctors and should them that exercise is the gatekeeper to good health.

 

 

Summary:

Physical fitness is the ability to function effectively throughout your workday, perform your usual other activities and still have enough energy left over to handle any extra stresses or emergencies which may arise. You will reach your desired level of physical fitness faster by understanding the five components of physical fitness and how they fit together.

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Taking Action to Reduce Back Pain

The song, “My ankle bone is connected to my knee bone,’ comes to mind each time I write articles on back pain. Now I know why. Each bone within the structures of the skeletal muscles plays a vital part in our health. If any of these bones, muscles, tendons, etc., are disturbed it can lead to serious back problems. Back problems include slipped herniated disks, broken back, fractures, and so on. Each condition is caused from a string of actions, activities, incorrect movement, overexertion, etc., which exceptions include disease.

 

Back pain is complex since various aspects of the human makeup creates such pain. For instance, connective tissues can lead to serious back pain, quicker than bursa bruising. The baffling mechanisms behind back pain has lead scores of doctors offshore, since many struggles to see that the central nervous system alongside the spinal columns play a vital part in back pain creation.

 

According to statistics over a million people on a daily ricketier scale suffers either minor or severe back pain. About ½ or more of these people could have prevented back pain and found relief without seeking medical treatment. The other half of this unstable, million scale may endure back pain for their course of their life, since they fail to use practicality in resolving the problem.

 

In some cases, such as a 1/3 of the ricketier scale of people, surgery is performed to correct the problems. Surgery often leads to major complications, including severe back pain. Go figure, yet surgical procedures are unhealthy, and its history has proven this notion. Even if you damage a shoulder ligament or tendon, you can take measures to avert surgery and relieve your pain.

 

Did you know that losing weight could reduce back pain? Obesity is spreading throughout the world and in every corner, thus adding pressure to the muscles, which lead to back pain. “Oh, my feet are killing me,’ which is commonly heard. What this person fails to realize is that he/she may be overweight, wearing the wrong shoes, and overexerting the bearing joints. We can stop this pain in its track by wearing correct shoes, losing weight, and remove excessive weight from the weight-bearing joints and muscles. The problem is more and more people are gaining weight, since our FDA has allowed additives into meats, which promote cravings. Practicality tells us that organics is the way to stop FDA and meat manufacturers in their tracks, as well as stopping obesity to a large grade.

 

In view of the fact, you can graduate my dear “Sir Watson,” from elementary and move up to college.

 

How to relieve pain from slipped herniated disks?

You can choose the right way or the wrong way to relieve herniated disk damage. The wrong way can include alcoholism and drugs, which lead to bigger problems.

 

Ultimately, you can ignore the problem, continue adding weight and pressure to the area, and finally spend the rest of your life, lying down. On the other hand, you can learn how to lean and bend correctly, curl to relieve pain, lose weight (If applicable), wear correct fitting shoes, and so forth.

 

Did you know that curling up in a proper fetal position can reduce pain and agony at the back caused from herniated slipped disks? Well, get on your side and curl those knees up to your chest so you can find out for yourself. When you finish, let me know how you feel. When curling into a fetal position, place a cushion or pillow amid your knees and avoid folding tightly. Do not elevate the hips.

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Cause of Low Back Pain

You can hardly change position when you retire on bed at night? You feel like the muscles twisted when you lifted that massive fixture? These and more translate to low back pain.

 

When human beings advance in years, tendon elasticity and bone strength tend to decrease. The discs will soon lose fluid that it then lessens its ability to cushion the vertebrate. If the spine is overly compressed, it will rupture and bulge outward. It results in pressure on one of more than 50 nerves rooted that controls body movements that transmit signals to the brain. When it becomes strained, that is the cause of back pain.

 

The cause of low back pain may reflect nerve irritation or bone lesions. Most of it follows trauma that connects to the behind portion of the body. It is also brought about by degenerative conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, viral infections, joints’ irritation, or congenital abnormalities.

 

Too much fat, non- healthy lifestyle, weight gain during pregnancy, poor physical stature, inappropriate posture for the activity performed and wrong sleeping form may also contribute much to the cause of low back pain.

 

Having a bad posture especially when you are fond of slouching is also a common cause of low back pain. Aside from that, weak abdominal muscles can lead you to have swayback. It is an abnormal curving of the spine where the discs between vertebrate become damaged. It may first appear stiff or numb when you get up and move around. In a longer period, it will prolong.

As mentioned earlier, one cause of low back pain is carrying heavy materials especially when you are not used to doing such activity. When it is done, the increased pressure is put on your lumbar spine. If done in a wrong manner and have it positioned far in front of the spine, the muscles behind the back of the body exert effort to have a strong amount of force to have it upright. Thus, it tears away to herniate.

 

Originally, scar tissues that are created upon the recovery period are not as sturdy and flexible as compared to the normal tissues. The buildup from repeated injuries eventually grows, deteriorates the behind portion of the body and can even usher to a more serious level.

 

Also, the cause of low back pain may point toward a graver medical dilemma. The ache that is accompanied by fever or nausea can indicate a pinched nerve. It could also be brought about by loss of bladder control, sore from coughing and progressive weakness. Some diabetic persons can experience severe twinges that radiate down to the leg related to neuropathy. Sickness such as osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and compression fractures are also highly considered however, only about a percentage of ten is factored as such.

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Back Pain Remedies

Those twinges that come every now and then are not a respecter of nationality, position, or age. They hear nobody and know nobody. They just come right in at any time that they desire even to the point of ruining your own precious life.

 

Cathy Wong, a licensed naturopathic physician, shares fifteen back pain remedies. However, she advised that now you feel the ache, the primary step is to be accurately assessed by your care provider. There are some medications that may suit one individual but not for you. The best way to know is to approach your doctor for consultation. Here are some of those remedies:

 

  • Capsaicin Cream

An active ingredient in chili peppers, capsaicin cream when applied to the skin provides an analgesic effect as it reduces the substance P, a neurochemical that transmits pain. You may remember that analgesic is one of the many back pain remedies. A typical dosage is only about 0.025% four times a day. If possible, wear gloves when rubbing it to any part of your body.

  • Vitamin D

Found in fish with small bones, vitamin can also be obtained from fortified milk, cereal grains, and sunlight exposure. However, it has its own risks such as darker pigmented skin and digestive disorders. The utilization of glucocorticoid medications can be helpful for conditions like lung diseases and allergy irritations. For those who are advanced in years, there should just be minimal sunlight contact.

  • Music Therapy

Truly one of the low costs back pain remedies, music therapy is not that soothing to the ears, but it takes away depression and anxiety caused by sciatica. It has an immediate effect in the reducing the sore although, the aftermaths were not that astounding.

  • Willow Bark

The part of a Salix alba tree has been discovered to have properties that can relieve aches. The ingredient called salicin, found in a willow bark, is transformed inside the body to salicylic acid- believed to be the active compound that eases pain and inflammation.

  • Bowen Rehabilitation

A type of gentle bodywork, Bowen rehabilitation has been developed by an Australian osteopath, Tom Bowen. This is one of the back pain remedies that has been widely recognized in Europe and has been gaining popularity in North America. Specialists use a series of moves by their fingers and thumbs. It typically involves the specialist pulling the skin loosed apart from the muscle by putting in pressure and immediately releasing the tension.

  • Alexander Technique

Teaching people to improve their posture and eliminate bad habits, the Alexander technique stresses the importance of choosing a healthy lifestyle. It was created by an Australian actor, Frederick Matthias Alexander. He learned how to correct croakiness in his voice by not slouching and just standing tall.

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Back Pain Relief

Back pain is second only to headache as the most common neurological ailments in the United States. Additionally, a 2002 study showed that back pain is one of the leading reasons why people visit the clinic and miss work.

 

Back pain is often a sign of injury or some underlying problem related to your spine – its bones, muscles, and other soft tissues. It could disrupt your work, routine, and your daily activities. It may even affect your normal lifestyle as you are unable to participate in recreational activities due to pain.

 

Fortunately, back pain is not a profoundly serious condition. In fact, most cases of back pain are only short-term, lasting any time from a few days to a few weeks. There are also many treatment methods and remedies available although there is no definitive method to treat the pain. In addition, the patient can take active steps in avoiding activities that may lead to back pain, such as heavy lifting.

 

Below are some more tips to help you achieve back pain relief:

 

Rest Your Back

When you hurt your back, the best way for you to achieve back pain relief is to lie on your back on the floor. Place pillows under your knees so that your hips and knees are bent slightly. This is a good position to take the pressure and weight off your back.

 

Alternatively, you could also assume the same position only with your feet propped up on a chair. First, lay your back flat on the floor. You can use a pillow to support your head. Then, bend your knees so that the back of your legs is resting on the pillow on top of the seat of the chair.

 

Back pain relief is normally achieved after a day or two of this kind of rest. If the pain remains even after you have rested for two days already, see a doctor. Resting like this for longer than two days may cause your muscles to weaken, leading to even slower recovery.

 

Heating Pads

Hot compresses are not scientifically proven, but a fair number of people claim that they can provide back pain relief. Heating pads, especially, have a relaxing effect on muscle spasms which are the leading signs of back pain.

 

Place the heating pad over the painful section of your back and leave for 20 to 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can use ice packs for back pain relief. Massages can also provide some relief.

 

Medications

If you want fast-acting back pain relief, there are nonprescription medications available in most drugstores. These drugs can reduce pain and swelling and provide back pain relief for sufferers. They include aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ketoprofen (Orudis), naproxen (Aleve), and ibuprofen (Motrin).

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Back Pain Muscles

One of those that play a key role in the back pain muscles are the soft tissues around the spine. It is a large and complex group that work together to support the body upright, allow the trunk of the body to move and twist or bend in many directions.

 

There are three back pain muscles that are called as extensors, flexors, and obliques.

  • Extensors

These are attached to the posterior or back of the spine that enable standing and lifting of objects. These consist of large, paired muscles in the lower back that assist in supporting up the spine and gluteal muscles.

  • Flexors

These are glued to the anterior or front of the spine that comprises of the abdominal muscles. It permits bending forward and arching the lower back.

  • Oblique

These are closely in the sides of the spine that help in rotation and maintain posture correctly.

 

There are certain exercises to remedy back muscle pains that it may better serves as strength and tone. Unlike the abdominal muscles which are left usually inactive and unconditioned, the gluteal in the thighs experience more work because it aids human beings in walking, climbing or running. However, those mentioned muscles weakened with age so there is a need for calisthenics for it to be stretched over and over.

 

Physical therapy and workout regimens are certain effective medications to back pain muscles. They concentrate on powering the extensor, flexor, and oblique muscles. It aids in fortifying treatment splints of the spine and even eliminates the need for an invasive approach or surgical operation.

 

If ever the other spinal structures or joint facets experience injury or inflammation, the back pain muscles can actually bring about spasm marking limitations in motions.

 

When there is a consecutive episode experienced that lasts for more than two weeks, it ushers into weakness because it hurts, so there is a tendency to avoid using them. Due to such, there is disuse atrophy or muscle wasting and subsequent weakening. It causes more ache because they are less capable of supporting up the spine.

 

Stress is also a common cause of back pain muscles. It tightens in a fight or flight reaction that deprives the muscles of energy required to splint the spinal structures.

 

To structure it, there are hamstring muscles located at the back of the thighs. Those individuals that have such are susceptible to develop back pain muscles. The theory behind is that stiff hamstrings restrict movements in the pelvis. In turn, the motions get altered to the bottom lumbar segments. It increases the stress experienced in the behind portion of the body. To remedy such, there is rehabilitation that concentrates on powering up the muscles and stretching the hamstring muscles.

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Pain in the Back Knee

Relief is the major concern of those who are experiencing pain in the back knee. This has been a ringing issue to athletes that involves a lot of foot works be it in basketball, tennis, football, badminton, and others.

 

The said part of the body is especially important that when you get injured, it is also following that you must know the techniques in coping up with the pain in the back knee. A quick treatment is familiarizing one’s self with RICE, it stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation that needs to be done, respectively.

 

Do not attempt to be fully active on the field or court because it will strain the hasty damage. It will also result in delaying the period of remedy. It is bluntly advised to take some time off. Lie comfortably on any couch or on the top of your bed. You can ask somebody to put ice on the area that hurts. Ice cools it down and it will also slow the blood flow. By such, there is reduction of inflammation or swelling of the pain in the back knee.

 

Compression does not just involve temperature but also wrapping a bandage over it. Make sure that it is securely tight. Slowly elevate it to assist in the healing process. This then provides the individual a quick medication yet effective.

 

Nursing a pain in the back knee can also be over the counter, meaning it can be easily bought in medical stores. One of those is ointments that will keep the area hot and will more so promote fast cure. There is also painkillers that helps control moderate distress and gives a long- lasting aftermath.

 

Do you know what is causing the pain in the back knee? There are three factors that are briefly discussed below:

  • Popping

It is a common symptom that occurs in any problem, also known as snapping. When the pop or snap is without twinge, there is no complication detected. You should pay more focus when the sound comes with its own sensation. It is often heard or felt when the ligament is torn.

  • Grinding

It is often associated with bone crunching against another bone once the cartilage is worn away. Commonly found in arthritis, patients that are young (under the fifth decade of existence) seldom experience it will cause severe symptoms albeit, when there has been a grave hasty trauma in the past.

  • Locking

It is when a patient cannot bend or straighten the knee. It can either be due to something preventing the motion which is caused by a piece of cartilage that wedges within the joint or when the pain blocks the persons from moving the knee. Injection with numbing medication can assist in determining the cause.