directinc

We are all familiar with the most common types of headaches: tension, migraine, and combination.  A number of less common headaches cause people endless problems, as well.  They are no less serious or painful than those more frequent, but they can take a bit more detective work when searching for a reason or solution.

<b>Sinus Headaches</b>
For those with allergies or a propensity for sinus headaches, the world can be a miserable place.  Defined by a deep throbbing pain in the front of the face or forehead and often accompanied by nasal discharge, these headaches are typically the result of infected sinus cavities.  The pain is usually amplified by bending over.

The best treatment for this kind of headache is to treat the underlying symptomology.  In other words, treat the infection and the headache is likely to go away.  While you wait for antibiotics to clear the infection in the sinus cavity, you can reduce the pressure by taking decongestants and over-the-counter analgesics.

<b>Cluster Headaches</b>
These unusual headaches only affect a small portion of the population--less than 5%, thankfully.  Cluster headaches are so severe that sufferers are usually unable to sit still and must pace or rock while ongoing.  With the pain centered behind one eye or ear, this headache can produce tearing of the eye, burning sensations, or throbbing. 

A cluster of headaches will appear, one after another in an interval of a few hours or days, and then disappear.  The time of remission is unpredictable which makes it very difficult to anticipate.

If you are "fortunate" enough to get cluster headaches regularly at the same time each year, you may be able to pin down the source and treat it, alleviating your pain.  On the positive side, even though these headaches are extremely painful it is known that they are in no way an indication of brain related problems. 

Treatment includes suppression, oxygen therapy and preventative prescriptions.  In a last ditch effort to deal with constant cluster headaches, surgery is an option.

<b>Hormonal Headaches</b>
These headaches are the result of hormonal changes that occur due to the monthly cycle women experience.  The rotation of fertility, menstruation, and pregnancy can cause headaches for some women.  Chemicals that change and affect the monthly cycle can also cause these headaches.  So, if you are prone to hormonal headaches, you may want to consider alternatives to birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy.

Fortunately, most headaches don't signal anything more serious.  Tension and stress is probably the biggest causative factor in developing any type of primary headache.  Finding ways to reduce your stress will help you reduce the number of headaches you experience.  There are classes in stress management and biofeedback that can help.

Since headaches are hereditary, 90% of children who suffer from headaches have parents with the same problem.  Keeping a headache journal listing daily activities and foods may help you and your child pinpoint some of the triggers so you can avoid them.

Headaches are, seemingly, just a part of modern life.  Fortunately, treatments are constantly being improved.  Maybe someday, headaches will be a thing of the past.

If you work in an environment where you are constantly lifting objects, you need to exercise caution and use proper technique.  Unnecessary injuries can occur at your work environment if you fail to follow tips to help prevent injuries at work.  Review the following tips to help prevent injuries in your workplace.

Safe Lifting Technique -

Safe lifting technique should be practiced to ensure you are properly and safely lifting objects.  Improper technique and care can result in injuries in your workplace.

With your feet shoulder width apart, center yourself and stand close to the object.  Bend your knees and squat down to the floor or to the object.  Your back should be straight and your abdominal muscles should be tightened.  Grasp the object securely with both hands.  Using your legs, lift the object by closely holding the object to you and by standing.  Do not twist your body while holding the object.  Next, take small steps until you are in the correct position.  Bend your knees by only using your leg muscles in order to place the object in the appropriate place.

Lifting Tips -

Use a moving dolly for objects which are over 20 pounds.  You also need to remember using both hands to grab the object, and to use your legs primarily in the lifting motion.  Familiarize yourself with The Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) guidelines, which will help you with proper procedure in and beyond lifting objects.

Dressing Safely -

Appropriate workplace attire is also essential for the prevention of workplace injuries.  Hair should be tied and out of the way.  Extra material can get caught in machinery or cause you to trip: do not wear shirts with long sleeves, or oversized, baggy pants.

Shoes are also important to use in conjunction with safety standards.  Shoes with rubber soles can prevent tripping and falling, and can also help with stability when lifting objects.  If you are in a workplace which uses professional attire, do not wear shoes with high heels.

Other Tips -

Ensure your workplace is a safe environment for you and those you work with.  Do not smoke in your workplace.  Ensure flammable or hazardous materials are properly contained.  Make sure your workplace has working smoke detectors, sprinklers, and adequate ventilation.

Chiropractic Care Provider -

Your chiropractic health care provider will be able to help you with tips and advice in order to ensure you are staying safe while in the workplace.  Any other tips which are specific to your workplace will be given to you by your chiropractor.

Speak to your chiropractor regarding your typical work day.  By helping your chiropractor to identify possible risks in your day, your chiropractor will be able to help you prevent injuries and any pain related to your work activities.

In addition to your work safety, your chiropractor will be able to ensure you are keeping your body healthy.  Your chiropractor will also be able to see how your back and spine are handling any lifting you perform in the workplace.

Weight loss is essential for overweight or obese individuals.  Individuals who do not have an ideal body weight have a much better chance or experiencing back pain in their life.  Read further for information regarding weight loss and back pain.

Problems Caused by Obesity -

There are many problems which are caused by obesity.  Back pain is prevalent among one-third of obese Americans, according to the American Obesity Association.  Lower back pain, sciatica, herniated discs, pinched nerves, piriformis syndrome and arthritis of the spine are all problems which may be developed by individuals who are obese.

Extra Weight Causes Strain -

Individuals who are obese commonly experience a range of musculoskeletal and joint related pain.  This is caused by extra pounds adding strain to the muscles and ligaments in the back.  As a result, the back can become tilted and unevenly stressed.  The spine may curve over time and lose proper support which is needed to function.

Know your BMI -

An individual's Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to determine a value to gauge whether a person is obese.  BMI is a formula (BMI=kg/m2) uses the person's weight in kilograms and height in meters to calculate the value.  An overweight person has a BMI in the range from 25 to 29.9.  A BMI of 30 or higher is known to be an obese value.

Weight Loss via Exercise -

Weight loss is crucial for developing a strong spine and for the prevention of future back pain.  Exercise can help a patient lose weight, which will help in the health of the spine.  Additionally, exercise can help strengthen a person's spine and surrounding muscles.  Lack of exercise is a major known cause of back pain.

Weight Loss via Diet and Nutrition -

Keeping track of one's nutritional intake and general diet can help with the weight loss process.  Reducing the number of calories, eating smaller portions, keeping a food log, learning health food preparation methods and choosing meals lower in fat are all standards which should be inherent in a diet.  Hydration and water intake is also crucial for a diet.  Water intake is also essential for a healthy back.

Keeping track of behavioral and environmental triggers is also important for a diet.  These factors, such as stress, boredom, sadness and anger can have a negative effect on an individual's diet.  These changes can affect the diet, portion, and types of food in which the individual consumes.  Keep track of these factors if you are on a diet for weight loss.

Chiropractic Health Providers can help with Weight Loss -

Your chiropractic health care provider will be able to guide your progress if you are an overweight or obese individual.  You may find weight loss and less back pain once you undergo a weight loss plan and appropriate treatment.

You should consult your chiropractor for more information.  Your chiropractor will be able to help you diagnose, treat and prevent back pain which you may be experiencing.  Consult with your chiropractor in order to find relief and in order to prevent back pain and for your general health.

Back pain can be a troublesome condition.  Along with the problems of daily functioning, weight issues, and its general debilitating nature, back pain can uncomfortably find its way between the sufferer and a good night's sleep.  Since this pain can cause insomnia, it may make sufferers feel even worse after a night of sleep.  It is important to be aware of this connection in order to understand how treatment can change the daily life of a sufferer of back pain.

Studies Show that Back Pain Impairs Sleep Further
Studies have shown that the impairment of sleep is more likely to be caused by poor physical functioning, the duration of pain, and age rather than pain intensity and depressed mood.  Physiological studies (Medscape Neurology & Neurosurgery, 2004: 6) have further revealed that chronic back pain causes an arousal disturbance in brain waves during sleep and sufferers awaken with unrefreshing sleep. 

Affection joints and areas of the skin caused from this back pain increases these arousal patterns in the brain.  This causes people to feel worse, which negatively affects a person's sleep in itself and further affects the daily activities of the sufferer.

Does Chiropractic Care Help Eliminate Some Forms of Insomnia?
Poor sleep and increased pain due to sleep are two reasons why sufferers should consider chiropractic care.  Chiropractic care can offer quick relief for sufferers of back pain in many instances.  If the pain is more chronic or unresponsive to the initial treatment, a more comprehensive program or exposure to different methods of chiropractic care can offer the relief needed to sufferers. 

Chiropractic services such as rehabilitation-related care and non-surgical spinal decompression can complement the more typical chiropractic methods exercised by providers.  These types of services represent a powerful method to obtaining relief to allow the sufferer to sleep well and additionally function in other daily activities more easily.

The Results of Chiropractic Care
The result of effective chiropractic care can have a drastic impact on a patient's life.  The physiological disturbances and spinal disorders, which can plague the sleep and life functions of a sufferer, are thus lessened and often eliminated with proper care. 

When this occurs, the sufferer can improve their sleep, which can have obvious and drastic effects on the patient's lifestyle and daily activities.  Once treatment has begun, these related problems stemming from spinal disorders and other conditions that require chiropractic care are alleviated and more importantly prevented with further prophylactic treatment and information from the chiropractic care provider.

Thus, chiropractic care allows a powerful way to alleviate sleep-related problems in particular for sufferers.  Sleep problems can have a dramatic impact on rest and functions throughout the day, and back pain will often cause such problems. 

Those treated by chiropractic care providers often find relief from their problems and are able to sleep better and perform activities throughout the day more efficiently and without pain.  Sufferers of back pain should consider seeing a chiropractic care provider in order to obtain relief for their daily life and overall sleep.

Spinal decompression rejuvenates and replenishes the vertebrae, which house the most important nerves in the body.  This is done by gently stretching the spine using different kinds of apparatuses over the course of several weeks.


1.  Back Tension Relief

If you suffer from stress or tension pain in the back, neck or head, spinal decompression may be able to help.  By aligning the spine properly through decompression methods, you can relieve some pressure on the problematic parts of spine where tension builds up.


2.  Better Posture

Maintaining good posture has many health benefits that are often overlooked.  Think of the spine as the subway system of your body through which signals are routed throughout your nervous system.  With bad posture, portions of the spine are stifled from processing information efficiently, leading to pain, fatigue or even illness. 

The best way to keep a straight back is to be somewhat aware of your posture from time to time.  Eventually you won't need to consciously remind yourself to "straighten up" because you will condition yourself to stand or sit straight naturally.

Another important part of posture to remember is sleep.  We've all woken up with an achy back in the morning, and this can be caused by sleep posture.  Try to sleep on your back or, if not, on your side with knees and ankles touching.  The worst thing you can do is sleep on your stomach.  The pressure this exerts on the spine can, after a night of sleeping, cause major issues.

Better posture makes breathing easier and it puts less pressure on the muscles and tendons.  With a straight back, weight and workload is distributed evenly throughout the body as well, allowing muscles to work correctly and without strain.  Spinal decompression and drastically improve posture in most cases.


3. Herniated Discs

Herniated discs are one of the most common afflictions having to do with the spine.  A herniated disc happens when a disc of the spine slips out of alignment with the discs above and below, causing the bones to pinch down on the nerves in the spine. 

Herniated discs can also cause pain in the joints as well.  This causes pain throughout points in the body that pertain to the specific region of the spine that has a herniated disc.  Much of this trouble can be resolved by committing to spinal decompression therapies.


4.  Chronic Back Pain

Many Americans suffer from severe back pain on a continual basis.  Chronic back pain can be caused by tension in the muscles or by the spine itself, although influences like environmental stress or sleeplessness often exasperate the problem.  Other times, these symptoms (stress and sleeplessness) can also be contributing causes to back pain.


5.  Decompression Promotes General Wellbeing

Because the hub of the nervous system lies in the spine, it's easy to imagine how just one herniated disc can cause many diverse problems.  In fact, each section of the spine has been categorized by what part of the body it is paired with.  For instance, the cervical nerves in the neck are responsible for working the muscles of the diaphragm, along with the Lacrimal Gland in the eyes that induces tears. 

A kink in the communication line that runs the length of the spine will cause the neuron impulses that are sent to that region to slow down and work less efficiently.  Spinal decompression is able to straighten out this problem without the costs of expensive surgical operations or the pangs of painkillers that always follows.  Discuss decompression options with your doctor or health care provider.  You'll be happy you did.

Tension headaches are the most common types of primary headaches.  The tension-related pain can exude from the back, neck, eyes, or other muscle groups in the body.  As these types of headaches can be episodic or chronic, and as tension headaches affect approximately 3% of the population, tension headaches can be a troublesome condition for one to have.  However it is important to weigh the benefits of chiropractic care in the discussion of tension headaches, which can help alleviate the condition.

Tension headaches have a varying set of symptoms and timeframe.  The pain experienced can be anywhere from mild to moderately intense.  The pain is normally characterized as a dully, aching head pain which can produce sensations of tightness or pressure on the forehead, sides, or back of the head.  Also, a tension headache can last anywhere from 15 minutes to one week.  If the headaches persist for 15 days in a month for at least three months, they are considered chronic tension headaches.

Tension headaches should not go untreated if they persist.  These types of headaches can become chronic if episodic headaches persist.  Those seeking to obtain relief should consider professional help if these headaches persist and if the body does not respond to home treatments. 

However, professional help does not necessarily mean that a primary doctor should be consulted first.  Often chiropractic care can alleviate these pains and provide a quicker and more cost-efficient way of treatment.  Also, mainstream medicine often resorts to expensive diagnostic tests and treatments which may not be warranted.  Often these treatments and tests should be considered if a more serious condition is present, which cause tension headaches.

Chiropractic care can be an effective way in treating tension headaches.  Tension headaches can be caused by muscular tension and contraction involving the muscles of the shoulders, neck, and head.  Whether as a result of emotion or physical stress, the muscular tension which results from the cause can create steady tension headaches.  Also, changes in posture and movement as a response to these forms of stress can additionally impact the onset of tension headaches.  These factors are key in how chiropractic care can alleviate tension headaches.

Chiropractic care providers are able to combat the muscular tension which often causes tension headaches.  Chiropractic adjustments and other therapies, such as trigger point therapy and massage, are able to break the cyclical nature of muscle tension-related pain.  By realigning the skeleton and releasing muscular tension these physical stressors are reduced so that further pain is not caused and the condition itself is targeted for treatment.  As muscles relax and as nerve irritation is reduced, patients may often find relief with just a few treatments.

Tension headaches can become a cyclical and debilitating condition.  They can also impede the daily functions and overall quality of life for sufferers.  However, sufferers should consider chiropractic care in order to combat the underlying symptoms of tension headaches.

One of the most common sources of missed work in this country is back problems.  Most adults will experience one or more back injuries during their working lives.  While a majority of these injuries are minor, a strain or sprain, for example, there are some that are very serious.  Proper evaluation and treatment are essential to full recovery.

Strains and Sprains
Often used interchangeably by us common folk, these are actually two different injuries.  A sprain involves a stretched or torn ligament, while a strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon.  Showing off on the basketball court, overdoing it in aerobics class, or helping a buddy out in a move can cause either injury.

The treatment is identical.  Rest, ice, elevation, and compression (RICE) is the best thing for these minor problems.  Complete tears of muscle, ligament or tendon are treated differently, since they may need surgical repair. 

Over the counter analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications help control pain and inflammation that may occur with these kinds of injuries.  Within a few weeks, you should be back to normal.

Herniated Discs
The discs are structures that sit between each pair of vertebrae providing flexibility and cushioning.  The disc is made up of two layers, the outer annulus fibrosus and the inner nucleus pulposa.  When the outer layer is damaged or strained, it can allow the inner, gel-like pulposa to extrude and put pressure on nerves that lie in the same area.  That pressure causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the legs or back.

Most herniated discs will heal with minimal treatment.  It is estimated that more than half of the people who have a herniated disc aren't even aware of it. 

Conservative options include physical therapy, analgesics and anti-inflammatories, epidural injections of pain killers, and steroids given orally or by injection.  Surgery is now reserved for the most serious cases where conservative treatment has failed or the damage is so severe that no other option exists.

Fractures
Fractures can occur when the back is subjected to blunt force trauma, for example in a car accident or fall.  They can also be the result of degenerative bone disease in the spine.  A frequent cause is osteoporosis, a condition where the bones lose mass and density making them particularly fragile.

If the cause of the fracture is osteoporosis, then calcium supplements and other medications that help reduce the deterioration of the bone are prescribed.  For trauma related injuries hospitalization, surgery, and even immobilization are considered.

Other  More Rare Conditions
There are other, fairly rare, conditions that can cause back pain.  Spodylolethisis, spinal stenosis, tumors and ankylosing spondylitis can all result in back pain.  Each disease has a unique presentation.  Your physician should be able to narrow down the source of your discomfort.  An appropriate course of treatment will be determined.

Back injuries are a nuisance no matter what the source.  With a good diagnostic exam, a solid care plan, and some time, you should be able to get back to return to most or all of your former activities.

There are three basic formulas that people use when engaged in weight loss; low-carb, low fat, and low calorie.  The first two of course can be geared towards being low calorie, but that isn't the focus of the plan, it is a side effect.  Each diet has its supporters and detractors.  Let's take a look at each one.

Low Carb Diets
Made popular by Atkins and South Beach Diet organizations the phenomenon of a low-carb diet hit its peak in the late 1990s and early 2000s.  These planes are based upon the concept that by eliminating carbohydrates from your diet you will force your body into burning fat to compensate.  The fancy name for this process is ketosis.

Ketosis is a state where the body, lacking sufficient blood glucose to supply power, has the liver convert fat in to fatty acids and ketones.  The body uses the ketones to fuel the cells rather than glucose.  Advocates of a low carbohydrate diet believe that the natural state of the body is ketosis and that our new glucose dependent lifestyle is abnormal. 

On a low-carb diet, you will be severely restricted in the amounts of carbohydrates you eat; often to as little as 30g a day.  There are nearly no restrictions upon the quantity of protein or fat you ingest. 

Proponents of the diet state that fats are only a heart risk when combined with higher levels of insulin in the blood caused by carbohydrates.  Research indicates that low-carb diets are just as effective as low calorie or low fat diets at the one-year mark.

Low Fat Diets
Low fat diets have been shown to be no more effective in weight loss than any other type of diet.  Dietary fat is critical to the proper absorption of fat soluble vitamins like K, A, D, and E.  There may be good reason to restrict saturated fats that are strongly associated with heart disease and stroke.

Low fat diets typically end up being fairly low in calories, unless the consumer uses low fat products as a substitute for common sense.  Eating endless amounts of low fat foods is no healthier than overeating regular food.  Although early studies indicated there may be a connection between lower incidence of breast cancer and low fat diets, it has yet to be confirmed.

Low Calorie Diets
There has been much debate over the life increasing properties of severely restricting calories over long periods of time.  Some research suggests that there may be a connection between the lower levels of insulin in those who maintain very restrictive diets and their rate of planned cell death.  Nothing has been conclusively proven.

What is known in the weight loss field is that reducing caloric intake, reasonably, is effective in assisting weight loss.  It is essential that caloric levels aren't dropped too low and generate the body's starvation mechanisms.  Those metabolic changes are hard to combat and reverse.

Weight Loss Conclusions
Weight loss is difficult.  Our bodies are designed to maintain a certain weight, even if it is an excessive weight.  Lifestyles have changed dramatically in the last century and food is often processed and altered beyond recognition.  Any weight loss program, be it low-carb, low fat, or low calorie will work if followed strictly.  The verdict on how effective any diet is over the long haul is still out.

Are women networking organizations the fastest growing trend in American business? This might be so. Including online networking groups, networking organizations focused on women are cropping up all over the country. It seems all women in business are spending their lunch time or after work hours at networking parties, connecting over wine or coffee, or sitting in front of the computer, typing messages to other business women. So, as a women entrepreneur or executive, you may be wondering: do I have to network?

You already are. Unless you are sitting in a cave, you are networking, whether that means meeting with clients, greeting business people you know when you are out and about, or calling a woman you know for advice on a business problem. But do you need to join a formal networking association? That depends on you and your needs. If you are very uncomfortable with chit chat or being in the middle of a group of people, and you find that you don’t need to formally network to advance your business, then you might not need an association. But if your business depends upon the continuous acquisition of new leads or learning new and better technology and business methods, then a networking association can be a valuable strategy for you.

Different female networking associations serve different needs. Here are a few:

Education: Some networking organizations feature speakers, workshops, and seminars on topics of interest to business women. There may or may not be a networking component at these events.

Contacts: These types of associations facilitate the exchange of information between women, putting you in touch with someone who you can help or who can help you. These can be very formal or quite informal. The speed-dating phenomenon has even touched here, with speed-networking events.

Escape: Some female networking organizations are simply places to get away from the business place, especially if that place is dominated by men. These events are usually strictly social and are a good opportunity to bond with other female entrepreneurs and executives.

Message Boards: With the proliferation of online networking sites that are developed specifically for women, the message board feature has become a popular place for women to vent, to advise, and to find someone with similar interests.

Project or Service: Service organizations founded by men for community projects or charitable projects have traditionally been potent networking groups as well. Many women have joined female service organizations to assist with humanitarian projects and have discovered the powerful networking function here as well.

Support: Women networking organizations have found a special niche with this function. To face the legendary barriers in the business world, women have developed support groups that also serve as an important networking location.

Whatever type of female networking association you decide to try, you should have some clear goals in mind. Knowing what you want to accomplish with your networking attempts will help you choose the women networking organization that will work best for you.

For many women, along with the joys of pregnancy comes back pain. Most women consider this a simple side effect of pregnancy and take it like a trooper. Others seek chiropractic treatment. After all, why suffer with back pain if you do not have to?

The main concern for women is the baby. Women know that anything ingested can adversely affect the baby. However, chiropractics is a whole other story. Women do not know how chiropractic treatments will affect the baby, which makes the leery of going to see a chiropractor.

Currently, studies show no harmful effects of chiropractics on the baby. Other studies show that chiropractic treatment actually has beneficial effects including easing labor. Many mothers report that the pregnancy was faster and easier compared to mothers who received no chiropractic treatment.

Preventing Back Pain during Pregnancy
Standing:
Women who must stand for long periods need to practice good posture. If possible, try to place one foot in front of the other. If a ledge or stool is available, then putting the front foot on the stool helps. It is also helpful to wear low-heel shoes whenever possible.

Sitting:
Pregnant women need to maintain good posture while sitting. Women can place a pillow behind their back to add support while sitting in chairs. Of course, finding chairs with adequate back support is ideal but when this is not possible, a pillow will suffice.

Sleeping:
As women get bigger, sleeping gets harder and harder. Women find it increasingly more difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. Once again, a pillow is a simple solution. For women who like to sleep flat on their back, they can place one or more pillows underneath their knees. This lifts up the legs taking pressure off the spine.

For women who like to sleep on their side, women can place a pillow between their legs. Again, the pillow lifts the leg to take pressure off the spine. Add a body pillow under the belly and your belly will have some well-needed support.

Chiropractic:
Pregnancy causes weight to shift around, which causes many women to experience low back pain. It also causes the center of gravity to change and that change adds stress to the spine.

Chiropractors can help pregnant women ease this pain by adjusting the spine back into its correct position. In addition, chiropractic care eases the strain on the back and legs by supporting the musculoskeletal system.

Finding a Chiropractor during Pregnancy
If you are pregnant and experiencing back pain, then you will want to find a high quality chiropractor. First thing you will want to do is talk to your obstetrician. Chiropractic care for pregnant women is still a controversial issue and not all obstetricians approve. It is important to talk to your obstetrician to before seeing a chiropractor.

Next, look for a chiropractor that has experience and training working with pregnant women. Not all chiropractors work with pregnant women and it does take special techniques. Be careful to find one that deals with pregnancy.

Finally, find a chiropractor that makes you feel comfortable. The doctor and the staff should be friendly and treat you well.

If you have the misfortune of suffering from a herniated or slipped disc, you have probably been told that you will need back surgery to completely heal.  Thankfully, there may be an alternative available to you, it is called spinal decompression.

If you are like most people, the thought of surgery, especially back surgery is very scary.  You may have never heard of this procedure before as it is starting to gain in popularity and since it generally isn't covered by health insurance, most doctors don't often recommend it.

What exactly is decompression?

Decompression is a non-surgical procedure that helps to relieve pressure from the spine and therefore, the discs that are injured.  This is done in a chiropractor's office and can often take several visits to completely cure the pain.  The patient is fitted into a harness and lies on a table. The harness is then manipulated by the chiropractor via the computer operated table that the patient is on.

The manipulation gently stretches the spine, giving a herniated or bulged disc the chance to heal, again over time, as the pressure from inside the spine is relieved.  In general, a session will last anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes and may be required over the span of a couple of months.  Decompression is done with the patient fully clothed and awake the entire time.

What is a chiropractor?

Spinal decompression is done in a chiropractor's office.  If you have never been to see a chiropractor, you may be hesitant to start now, or you may have heard from people who have had a bad experience.  Please do not let these reasons stop you from checking into decompression, and remember that no matter what  you are looking into you will find some people who won't like it for some reason or another.

A chiropractor is a medical professional who has specialized training in the area of the spine.  Many times people will see a chiropractor to gain relief for back or neck pain, and will only require a readjustment or realignment of the spine.  While decompression is more involved than that, it is a completely safe procedure and a chiropractor is a completely competent person to perform it.

What else do you need to know about decompression?

During decompression, you may get dehydrated. To combat this, your chiropractor may require that you drink up to a gallon of water on the day of, and perhaps the day following your procedures. While drinking this amount of water may seem difficult or excessive, it will allow the body to rehydrate itself quicker.

Your chiropractic doctor may also require you to take nutritional supplements to ensure that your body recovers quickly from the decompression session. These supplements help to boost your body's natural healing ability, without the use of prescription or over the counter pain medication.

Is decompression safe?

In a word, yes, decompression is safe. It is a non-surgical alternative to solving back pain issues such as bulged and herniated discs. However, that does not mean that it is a perfect, pain-free solution. Some patients may experience some discomfort during the procedures, but this is quickly resolved by following the doctor's instructions for aftercare.

As anyone who has ever suffered from them can tell you, headaches are no fun.  They cost the country billions of dollars in lost productivity annually.  For those who suffer from headaches regularly, life can become very challenging. 

In extreme cases, headache sufferers feel like they are going from episode to episode waiting for the next one to come.  Quality of life suffers tremendously and the condition affects not only the sufferer but also their family, friends, and colleagues.

There are a number of commonly used alternative treatments for dealing with headaches.  The success of the treatment depends heavily on active participation by the client.  Alternative treatments usually display a lower ratio of successful headache management but can be a viable option for those seeking to avoid taking pills to solve the problem.

Tension Headache Relief
For tension headaches, there are a few options.  Chiropractic care, massage, acupuncture, and herbs are all used with varying degrees of success.  Supplements such as magnesium, butterbur, and feverfew have some support in the literature, but it is minimal.  If you opt for herbal remedies, make sure to check with your physician so as to avoid negative interactions with other medications you might be taking.

Massage may help with tension headaches because it is designed to reduce tightness in muscles and general tension.  There aren’t too many studies in place yet that provide hard numbers, but the initial data is promising.  Chiropractics have been shown to be effective in treating other problems, but research specific to headaches isn’t conclusive.

Acupuncture and meditation have both been documented as effective for controlling headache pain.  Learning to relax your own muscles eases tensions that lead to headaches.  It is believed that inserting the needles in an acupuncture treatment may lead to the release of the body’s own endorphins which leads to a reduction in pain.

Migraine Headache
Alternative practices for migraine headaches are less conclusive than for tension headaches.  The suggestions that are most common involve management of pain through rubbing of trigger points, ice, chiropractics, and coenzyme Q10.  All the treatments are considered experimental in nature, but may have positive effects in certain individuals.

A More Traditional Approach
Regardless of the source of your headache, your main goal is to get rid of it as soon as possible and keep it from returning.  With that in mind, there are some options that just seem better than others.  Avoid medications that include caffeine as one of the ingredients.  They may cause the headache to receded, but it is likely to come back as the caffeine exits your system.

Consult with your doctor and keep a headache diary to show him/her.  Your doctor may spot patterns that you haven’t seen.  Take medications faithfully, as prescribed, several migraine medications work best when taken before a headache starts to get bad.  Join a gym or biofeedback class to help keep stress levels under control.

Regardless of which avenue you choose, getting your headaches under control can make a tremendous difference in your day to day existence.

Everyone remembers their injuries as a child because they were terrible and you were so sure the end of the world was coming…that is until your mom washed it, put on antibiotic cream, a band-aid, and then kissed it all better.  As a parent, you know that not all of the injuries that your child suffers are that simple to deal with.  How will you know what to do when your child gets hurt? 

Quick Fix to Childhood Injuries

All children fall down, suffering from scrapes, cuts, and bruises.  For these types of basic injuries, your mother's instincts are best.  These should be cleaned up with soap and water to eliminate any foreign matter that may be present.  Then apply a liberal amount of a quality antibiotic ointment and cover with a band-aid. 

These steps help the wound to heal without becoming infected.  Then, of course, kiss it and make it all better.  This is for the child.  Because every child knows that moms and dads have kisses with magic to help them feel better.

When a Kiss Won't Work

If, however, the cut seems to be unusually deep or around the face, stitches may be necessary to promote proper healing.  Often cuts on the face stand a better chance of not scarring if they are properly stitched up in a timely manner. 

Other cuts, depending upon where on the body they are or how deep they are will also benefit from being closed with stitches.  This is something your doctor will need to be involved in.  They will be able to tell you if the stitches will be required.

If the fall is the result of riding a bike or climbing a tree, the injury could be more serious.  Often these types of falls result in sprains or breaks.  If the break isn't an obvious compound fracture (when the bone has broken through the skin), it can be hard to decipher if the bone is actually broken and requires medical attention or if it is a sprain that can be treated at home.

Sprains and Fractures

If the child's crying does not subside after a normal amount of time (this is different for each child), if the child is complaining of pain and can't put weight on the injured limb, or if the point of impact begins to swell, please seek the advice of a medical professional. 

Often times, children will be diagnosed with a "green tree" fracture.  These types of fractures will have bent the limb, but not broken the bone completely…as if you were to bend a green tree limb, the outside doesn't necessarily give way.

This used to be called a sprain, and was treated by simply wrapping the area for a while.  X-rays will be required to diagnose a fracture, after that point, your doctor will work with you to determine if the area requires a cast, a splint or just to be wrapped up.

It is very important that any of these childhood injuries are treated correctly and watched closely.  If they aren't, they could easily be the cause of adult issues such as spinal column problems, back pain and other issues that may require the assistance of a doctor or chiropractor.

<a href="http://indiana.healthsourcechiro.com/city/Indianapolis">indiana.healthsourcechiro.com/city/Indianapolis</a>

An estimated 75 to 85 percent of all Americans will experience back pain during their lifetime.  This staggering figure is outdone by the cost in related treatments and the indirect costs to the sufferer. 

For example, it is estimated that the costs associated to diagnostic procedures is at $50 billion every year.  When you consider figures like these with back pain being the second most common reason for visiting the doctor, behind only upper-respiratory infections, it truly pays to find an effective method of treatment.

Indentifying the Causes of Back Pain
The causes of back pain, and particularly lower back pain, are numerous.  There are pre-existing weaknesses or loss of tissue integrity in this area, which are felt after a certain event or over time.  These underlying causes can develop into disc-related problems, osteoarthritis, strains or tears to the muscles or ligaments, and spinal curvatures, for instance. 

It is important for those who are at particular risk for back pain to be aware of these causes, particularly those in jobs requiring heavy lifting, those who are pregnant, smoke, over the age of 30, those who have arthritis or osteoporosis, or those who have bad posture.  Those with pre-existing conditions or those who fit into these and other categories that makes them more likely to suffer from back pain should become more aware of these implications.

The Financial Burden of Back Pain
It is especially important to raise awareness for sufferers and those at risk due to the overwhelming costs of some forms of back pain treatment.  For instance, take an example in back surgery; the average costs begin around $6,000 and can reach nearly $17,000. 

Once these costs are taken into account with insurance plans, it can become overwhelming when the time spent in recovery, which can last from weeks to months, will at some level immobilize the patient and cause them to lose out of significant work time.  Of course, other examples, while not as drastic, retain some value in financial implications of back pain: medications and recovery procedures, among others can be a financial burden.

Chiropractics Save Money and Your Back
Saving money in order to reduce the financial burden, physical pain, and loss of indirect finances (such as losing work) is possible with respected chiropractic care.  The services provided by chiropractic care can take pain away quickly in many cases and leave the patient pain-free and on their way to a steady recovery and control of their respective health issue. 

The financial burden is also lessened quite often; a typical visit to a chiropractic office is preferable over typical doctor visits, which can include diagnostic procedures and medications.  Also, as many patients get initial relief from chiropractic services they are able to function normally, which means they can get back to work quickly.

The back pain costs can indeed become expensive.  However, in comparison to mainstream medicine, chiropractic care can be a less expensive and quick way to obtain relief.  Patients should consider chiropractic care for their back pain and for its prevention.

Injuries of the spine happen everyday. People of all ages can experience a spinal injury at any time. You do not have to be old, out of shape, or be in a car accident to injure your spine. Sometimes the simplest of activities can hurt your back and spine.

The Anatomy of the Spine
The spine is comprised of 24 vertebrae. These vertebrae are connected together with ligaments and muscles, all of which form the spinal column. The spinal column allows the body to function on a day-to-day basis. When any part of the spinal column suffers an injury, then the entire body suffers.

The spine is divided up into three main sections. The first seven vertebrae, cervical, form the neck. The next twelve vertebrae, thoracic, form the mid-back. The final five vertebrae, lumbar, form the lower back. It is here in the lower back that most people suffer injury. However, cervical or neck injury is common. Injuring the thoracic or middle back is much more difficult and not seen often. 

Low Back Pain and Injuries
Low back pain is more frequent simply because of the location. The lumbar is located near the pelvis and that is where the majority of movement takes place. People have a tendency to place too much stress on the back especially during lifting. Then when people add twisting to the equation, low back injuries occur.

Low back pain also results from repetitive motion. For example, your job may have you bend repeatedly to pick up five to ten pounds. No big deal right? Wrong. Tiny injuries can occur from this movement. Over time, these tiny injuries build up to cause pain.

Back Injury Treatment
Some people recommend regular chiropractic treatment to prevent back pain. How effective prevention is has yet to be determined. However, chiropractic treatment has been proven effective time and time again for back injuries. The main reason for the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment revolves around chiropractic training.

Chiropractors undergo many hours of nutrition, anatomy, and biology among other useful classes regarding the back. Then they spend one year training under a licensed chiropractor in a clinic. This allows them to see their education in real world situations.

Progressive Rehabilitation for Back Injury
Sometimes, serious back injuries require more than an adjustment. These injuries may require Progressive Rehabilitation to get the back and spine working properly. Progressive Rehabilitation combines the effectiveness of both traditional spinal manipulations with the modern technology. This may include physical therapy, massage, electronic stimulation, and nutrition counseling.

During your first visit, the chiropractor will ask for a complete medical history along with how the injury happened. It is important to disclose your entire medical history so the chiropractor can make an informed decision. The chiropractor may take x-rays of the back and spine. After the results of all the tests come in, you and your chiropractor will discuss the proper line of treatment for you.

Since communication is so important when it comes to chiropractic treatment, you need to look for a few things in a chiropractor. First, ask if the chiropractor does same day treatments. Then, check out the staff. Are they friendly? Did they greet you in a friendly manner? These are very important, as you need to feel comfortable in the chiropractic setting.

When I hear people say, "You have changed a bit," I always think about my weight loss struggle. When I was younger, I was overly active. I don't think I watched a bit of television as I was always running around with my friends. I was unstoppable. When I graduated high school, I weighed in at 95 pounds. When I got married a year later, I still weighed 95 pounds. Then it happened.

This is where my story changes from the average person. However, I think you can relate. I got sick and needed to take some medication. Well, I went to the hospital and took the medication.

Between the non-activity of the hospital visit and the side effects of the medication, I left the hospital at a whopping 130 pounds a 35-pound weight gain. (I know some of you think 130 is nothing but I am only 4'11)

At this point, I had joint pain that went along with the weight. I could no longer do my favorite activities because I hurt and was now out of shape. I was devastated. Then the endless cycle of diets began. I tried shakes, prepackaged foods, starvation, weight loss clubs and more. I just could not lose the weight.

After several years of this, a friend suggested I go to a chiropractor. I thought she was crazy, but she got me a visit for my 30th birthday. I reluctantly agreed to make her happy.

My First Chiropractic Visit
Upon arrival, I was shocked at how friendly everyone was and how helpful they were. They did not laugh at all about my reason for being there. This is when it occurred to me that people actually do go to the chiropractor for weight loss.

The chiropractor came in and asked me a bunch of questions, and we discussed my life. We talked about how I gained the weight and could not get it off. Again, I was shocked at how caring the chiropractor was. Then the chiropractor did something I did not expect. He sent me to the nutritionist in his office. I walked from one room to the next.

Chiropractic with an In-House Nutritionist
The nutritionist talked to me about my diet and my medications. For me it turned out that a medication I was taking caused a drop in potassium and iron. She told me about the best way to take my medication. Then she explained how to increase nutrients naturally in my diet. Next, I went back to the chiropractor where we all discussed exercise.

This chiropractor believed in holistic medicine. Therefore, he wanted my weight loss to reflect my life. He did not believe in diets without personal guidance. This meant that each time I saw him; we would discuss what was going on in my life.

Personal Guidance and Pain Relief
As I got stronger again, he helped me change my exercises and my diet. This went on until I was confident that I could maintain the changes alone.
Today, I am 100 pounds. While this is 5 pounds more than high school, I love the way I look and feel at 40.

I must say, my friend got me the best 30th birthday present ever. I am sure it will last a lifetime. Who would have thought that all I needed was to see a chiropractor who believed in holistic medicine?

Pregnancy is a magical time in a woman’s life.  It is a time that is filled with many surprises, both good and bad.  There are many symptoms of pregnancy that are shared by the majority of women; one of the most common is back pain.  This particular symptom often causes issues throughout pregnancy.   Often times it will seem as if nothing can be done to ease the pain, however, this isn’t the case.

Backaches during pregnancy are generally caused by hormone changes, coupled with the weight shift which causes posture changes and muscle strains.  While it may seem that these changes (and therefore the pain) are inevitable, they aren’t.   There are some tried and true home remedies that can be used to ease this pregnancy symptom.

First and foremost, remember that you are indeed pregnant.  You may feel that you can handle lifting heavy or awkward objects. Don’t.  It is difficult during this stage of your life for your body to correctly compensate for both the abdominal shift and the sudden shift in weight of the object being picked up.   This often results in muscle strain.  Be sure to follow basic safety rules, squat down and pick up with your knees, not with your back.

When sleeping the body becomes very relaxed, this can cause awkward sleeping positions, resulting in back pain.  When sleeping, it may help to have a firmer mattress.  If needed, have someone put a board under your mattress for the temporary added support.  Another sleeping tip; sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees.  This will help to correctly align your hips and back – generally a problem late in pregnancy. 

Depending upon the stage of pregnancy, posture may be the source of your back pain.  If standing for periods of time is required, it is a good idea to have something (such as a box or rail) to prop one foot at a time on.  Being able to alternate the feet will help take pressure off of your lower back.  If your job requires sitting, be sure to use good posture.  A lower back pillow will provide needed support.  Another good idea is to wear flat shoes as opposed to high heels – this is also good for balance in the later stages of pregnancy.

After a long day, it often helps to take a warm shower.  Concentrate the water on the lower back area.  If a shower isn’t convenient for some reason, try a hot water bottle placed in the sore area.  Often sore back muscles will respond well to the heat and massaging action of the shower.

In the later stages of pregnancy, it may seem that nothing can be done to ease the pain.  If this is the case, especially if the pain also extends to the lower belly area, and it lasts more than an hour – contact your doctor.   This type of back pain could actually be a sign of labor.

In recent years, spinal decompression has been widely recognized in the chiropractic world as a powerful alternative to surgery.  By sidestepping invasive procedures all together, spinal decompression offers a more affordable and practical solution to ongoing back pain.  Traction therapy is fast becoming a popular method of spinal decompression that has proven to be a very successful alternative to the usual surgical solution.

Many times surgery only results in further back pain and dependency on pain medications that do not get to the root of the problem.  In this way, surgery may not be a necessary component to resolving chronic back pain and may actually only aggravate the problem. 

How Does Spinal Decompression Work?
Whether you suffer from a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, or maybe just a few pinched nerves--spinal decompression delivers long-term solutions to long-term pain problems.  Although there are several ways to perform spinal decompression, the most popular mode of decompression today is done with a regiment of traction therapy. 

Over the course of spinal decompression treatment, the doctor gently stretches the patient’s spine, which gradually relieves pressure on specific vertebrae and, over time, eliminates the pain from its source. 

As the pressure is relieved, the space between vertebrae is able to retain more oxygen and blood, which helps speed along the healing process while maintaining proper alignment of the spine.  This stretching is often done with a sophisticated machine such as the new DRX 9000, among many others.

The Success Rate of Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression methods have improved drastically over the years.  Unlike other approaches to back pain, traction therapy targets key areas of the spine for decompression.  This non-painful approach to decompression has proven to be very successful in solving back pain problems of all kinds. 

For a fraction of the price of typical surgery, a person can naturally resolve chronic back pain in just a couple weeks.  Usually each session will take between 30-40 minutes two to four times a week, depending on what your doctor recommends. 

Types of Spinal Decompression
Procedures such as Vertebral Axial Decompression in conjunction with technologies such as the DRX 9000 have made traction therapy a reliable and consistent approach to putting a stop to back pain.  Approved by the FDA and backed up by very positive figures, these spinal decompression machines are among several that have improved the lives and health of thousands. 

Sometimes spinal decompression done by traction therapy may be coupled with hydrotherapy, cyrotherapy, thermotherapy, or other treatments.  It really depends on the specific back problem that confronts you. 

Whether traction therapy is appropriate for your particular back condition is something that should be discussed with your doctor or chiropractor.  If you suffer from spinal fractures or certain medical conditions, traction therapy may not be right for you. 

However, chances are if you suffer from chronic back pain caused by herniated discs, facet joint syndrome, or sciatica, traction therapy may be the solution you’ve been waiting for.  Before you commit to a painful surgery to fix your back pain, look at the options proposed by spinal decompression procedures.  You’ll be happy you did.

Headaches, headaches, and more headaches. I have been getting headaches since I was eight years old. While this is young to start getting headaches, I have never been one to do anything normal.

Yet, it has made me an expert on all the tips and tricks for headache relief. I really have tried it all from lying in a dark room with a cold compress to suction cups on my back. (This is a method where someone lights a candle that heats the air to create suction.)

In my travels, I have experienced some normal remedies and some odd remedies that I am willing to share with you. I hope that my pain and suffering will help ease your pain. I also hope that my humiliation and discomfort will spare you the humiliation and discomfort of treatments that did not work out so well.

Acupuncture:
I must say, I was a little skeptical of this one since after all it involved needles. However, I was there and my head hurt, so I gave it a shot. To my utter amazement, it actually worked and I would recommend this to anyone.

Massage:
While I would love recommending massage, I find this does nothing for headaches once they start. Studies have shown that massage does do wonders in preventing headaches. They have not reduced my headache frequency in anyway. However, you can keep a headache diary and see if they reduce them for you.

Dark Room:
Thousands of people cannot be wrong, and they are not. The dark room method really does help those who have light sensitive headaches. You know if you have light sensitive headaches as you will close your eyes and go running to the nearest closet. I also like putting pressure on my eyes. It helps me. So you might give it a try and see if you like the way it feels.

Tylenol and Coca-Cola:
This odd remedy requires you to take two Tylenol and drink one Coca-Cola. Now it has to be Tylenol and Coca-Cola or at least that is what they will tell you. I get the same effect when I take any of the over-the-counter "migraine" medicines. They contain both acetaminophen (Tylenol) and caffeine (Coca-Cola).

However, I get a better effect when I take Midrin, which is the same thing except in prescription form. It is like taking a prescription Excedrin.

Spinal Manipulation
Like the acupuncture, I was reluctant to try this. I thought it was a bunch of phooey. However, I had a headache while at the chiropractor with a friend. (Yes, I know this happened while I was at the acupuncturist but I really do get headaches on a daily basis.) Surprisingly enough, it worked. My headache went away. What was even more surprising was it stayed gone for a few days.

The Neti Pot
The neti pot does help headaches if your headache is sinus related. Yes, I have stood over the bathroom sink and poured salted water in my nose. Yes, it is disgusting and yes, it is difficult.

However, if you can get past the gross and disgusting part of the neti pot, then it really can help with your sinus headache. When you clear out your sinuses, it can relieve the pressure and your headache eases up a bit.

If suffering from headaches has got you down, you are not alone.  Headaches are the most common ailment that individuals suffer from and see their doctors about.  While their doctor may prescribe an over-the-counter pain medication that works intermittently to relieve your pain, it is not getting to the root of why you have headaches in the first place.  If you're tired of having an aching head, then maybe you should visit your local chiropractor instead.

Chiropractors are well schooled in how the spine and all of its surroundings function.  They know that each vertebrate's health is crucial in how the human body functions on a day-to-day basis.  There are tons of nerves splicing through the cavities between each vertebrate and if a disc slips, pain will ensue. 

As for headaches, chiropractors are great at relieving them as well.  They understand the types of headaches that people suffer from and why.  They also know what can be done to end the suffering once and for all and will work with you to try and help pinpoint why your headaches are occurring and how to get rid of them.

Tension headaches are the most common form of headache and the easiest to treat.  These headaches stem from your neck and shoulder muscles tensing up for long periods of time-- hence the name.  Along with spinal manipulations to make sure your back is in proper alignment, your chiropractor will also suggest message therapy to help your muscles release and return to their normal flexible selves.

Another type of headache is called a migraine.  These are tough to treat, but those who have sought chiropractic care have noted a vast improvement in both the severity and frequency in which they occur. 

Migraines are characterized by intense shooting pains on one side of the head.  The pain often can be behind one eye.  The aversion to light and sound is greatly intensified when suffering from a migraine and nausea will usually ensue.  You will need to make several chiropractic visits when suffering from this type of headache.

The last type of headache, a cluster headache, is considered the most severe headache to have.  Just as the name implies, cluster headaches often occur several times in one day and are characterized by a shooting or throbbing pain in the head that leaves the sufferer debilitated until the pain ceases.  Again, several concurrent visits to your chiropractor for both spinal manipulations and message therapy will be needed to cope with these headaches.

Regardless of whether you suffer from tension headaches, cluster headaches, or migraines, a spinal adjustment done on a regular basis will go a long way at reducing the number of headaches you suffer from.  They work to not only treat the headaches themselves, but will guide you on how you can be better aware of the triggers and teach you stretching and exercise techniques that you can do on your own time to prevent headaches in the first place.  Chiropractors are safe, effective, and wonderful at what they do.

To find out more about chiropractic approaches to reducing headache pain, visit a HealthSource Chiropractic and Progressive Rehabilitation specialist nearest you today.