low back mid back pain, sciatica, neck pain, migraines / structural headaches, herniated disc, disc protrusions, carpal tunnel, tennis elbow shoulder pain, spasms, hip pain, rotator cuff injuries, conditions of the knee, conditions of the ankle, whiplash, TMJD, chronic fatigue syndrome plantar fasciitis, sprains/strains, fibromyalgia, arthritic conditions, pain management, stress management, personal injuries, weight loss, AND more.
A material made up of fibers forming a framework and support structure for body tissues and organs. Connective tissue surrounds many organs. Cartilage and bone are specialized forms of connective tissue. All connective tissue is derived from mesoderm, the middle germ cell layer in the embryo.
Docotrs of Naprapathy are also known as Neuromyologists.
Craniosacral therapy, ultrasound, electro-therapy, Hot / cold packs, vibratoty, Deep tissue release, myofacial release, Trigger Points, traction infrared, Cold Laser, orthopedic appliances and supports, nutritional counseling / Botanical Medicine, therapeutic / rehabilitative exercises magnetic therapy, full spectrum light treatment, and MORE
Energy therapies is a collective term used to refer to a variety of alternative and complementary treatments based on the use, modification, or manipulation of energy fields. Most energy therapies presuppose or accept the theory that matter and energy are not exclusive opposites, but that matter is simply a denser form of energy that is more easily perceived by the senses. Some energy therapies are associated with systems of traditional Indian or Chinese medicine that are thousands of years old; others draw upon contemporary scientific theories. Energy therapies can be divided for purposes of discussion into two groups: those that utilize energy fields located in, affecting, or emanating from the human body (biofield therapies); and those that use electromagnetic fields in unconventional ways. In addition, there are energy therapies that combine biofield therapy with some aspects of bodywork. The purpose of energy therapies can be broadly defined as the healing of mental or physical disorders by rebalancing the energy fields in the human body or by drawing upon spiritual energies or forces for such healing.
The process of identifying unhealthy practices (ie. sleeping, diet, supplements, stress, exercise, balance of work and play, etc). Changing habits that are more comaptible with a healthy lifestyle.
Various techniques for resolution of past trauma to help heal current conditions.
People talk about this as if everyone knows what it means. Spiritual development involves directing ones efforts to a core of possibilities that enhance individual life, human environment and societal relations. Spiritual development is the enhancement of human potential to develop the expression of its ideals in ones being. People develop from a position of balance and this is the first attainment. Certain methodologies for psychological wholeness and a sense of well being and calm have been devised. All of these preparations enable the individual to develop into a simple, decent and straightforward individual; a human being.
Nutritional medicine rejects the use of synthetic drugs on the basis that nature makes better pharmaceuticals than the lab of man can ever make. The first natural pharmaceuticals we concern ourselves with are the foods and liquids which are ingested. Averaged out over your life, food, air and water are the most powerful medicines you will take, and an adequate intake of healthy food is the beginning of nutritional health. For many people, especially those under the age of forty, this is all that is required for a healthy body.
Most disease, in the view of the nutritional doctor, is an outcome of many years of unbalanced nutrition. It is possible that many diseases represent starvation states of specific enzyme systems in the body. Aging may have a lot to do with a progressive loss of enzyme systems which leaves the body with a limited repertoire of pathways to produce the energy required of living processes. This loss of enzyme systems may be due to suboptimal levels of vitamins and minerals in the body, ingestion of chemical-laced, processed food, or the taking of synthetic drugs, all over a long period of time.
Holistic medicine is a term used to describe therapies that attempt to treat the patient as a whole person. That is, instead of treating an illness, as in orthodox allopathy, holistic medicine looks at an individual's over-all physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being before recommending treatment. A practitioner with a holistic approach treats the symptoms of illness as well as looking for the underlying cause of the illness. Holistic medicine also attempts to prevent illness by placing a greater emphasis on optimizing health. The body's systems are seen as interdependent parts of the person's whole being. Its natural state is one of health, and an illness or disease is an imbalance in the body's systems. Holistic therapies tend to emphasize proper nutrition and avoidance of substances—such as chemicals—that pollute the body. Their techniques are non-invasive.
Some supplement manufacturers hire independent laboratories to verify what their products contain. This is the only way to know for certain what is in a supplement.
Listed below are some of the benchmarks that I look for in a lab assessment of a dietary supplement.
No microbial contamination - bacteria, yeast, or mold.
No heavy metals - lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic or aluminum.
Free of chemical solvent residue, pesticides and herbicides.
No rancidity.
Label claim potency - the product contains what the label claims.
Stability - the product maintains potency until the expiration date.
No dioxins, mercury, or PCBs in fish oil products.
Product manufactured according to standards. A top-quality supplement is manufactured according to the strict standards of United States Pharmacopeia, and the proposed Food & Drug Administration's Current Good Manufacturing Practice Guidelines.
Non-allergenic. Supplements with food colorings such as tartrazine are a common source of allergy problems. Many "natural" supplements come from food sources such as corn, soy, yeast, dairy, or egg, which may cause allergy problems.
Highest purity. Some supplement manufacturers try to save money by adding cheap fillers, including lactose, sucrose, hydrated aluminum silicate, modified corn starch, sodium chloride, or sand. Binders, lubricants, and disintegrators might include talc, soap, rancid oils, shellac, tree sap, polyethylene glycol, waxes, or corn starch. Get a lab analysis if possible from the company.
Correct potency. Labeling can be deceptive. For example, it is legal to say "100 mg of citrus bioflavonoid complex" when in fact the "complex" you are getting is 30 mg of bioflavonoid and 70 mg of lactose (milk sugar). In addition, some manufacturers cut costs by simply not including the full amount of the nutrient.
Standardized herb potency. The potency of herbs in a supplement can vary wildly, depending on what part of the plant is used, the time of year it was harvested, how long it was stored, or how it was processed. By potency, I am referring to the components of the plant that are biologically active in your body. The most reputable supplement manufacturers used herbs with a "standardized" potency, so that you will know exactly how much of the biologically active part of the herb you are getting.
Try to pick just a few brands and write the company for the scientific data on their products. You want to check what the fillers and binders are. Check your labels for the word "standardized". Buy only what is recommended to you and don't try to adjust the dose yourself.
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Surprisingly, severe back pain isn't usually a sign of a medical emergency One of the most common reasons people go to the emergency room is severe back pain from a simple muscle strain. While the strain can be extremely painful, it usually doesn't indicate tissue or other structural damage to the back. The emergency room doctors will probably prescribe a few days of rest, some type of pain relief medication (e.g., ibuprofen or acetaminophen), and ice / heat therapy for the strain.
There are some back-related problems, however, that could very well indicate a medical emergency. You should seek medical help immediately if you experience any of the following. Remember -- it's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to:
Progressive weakness in the legs or loss of bladder or bowel control The sudden onset of bladder and/or bowel incontinence and/or progressive weakness in the lower extremities can be an indication of a relatively rare but serious condition called Cauda equina syndrome. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. Typical symptoms of Cauda equina include:Altered sensation, or severe or progressive weakness or numbness in the lower extremities - the legs and/or feet Loss of sensation or altered sensation in the "saddle" area (the area or your body that would sit on a saddle: inner thighs/between the legs, buttocks, back of legs, sacral region) Loss of control of bladder or bowels (including retention or incontinence) Pain, numbness or weakness in one or both legs that may cause difficulty walking
Cauda equina syndrome is caused by the compression of nerves in the lumbar spine, which can happen from a trauma to the spine, any spinal condition that may compress the nerves (such as a disc herniation, spinal stenosis), or an infection. Left untreated, this syndrome can ultimately result in paralysis, as well as continued loss of sensation in areas below the lower spine.
Unexplained lack of appetite, weight loss, pain, or neurological problems Weight loss from increased exercise or changes in diet can be healthy and can help reduce back pain. However, sudden weight loss and/or lack of appetite for no known reason can be indicative of a serious medical condition, such as cancer. Several symptoms of a tumor in the spine include: Pain in the neck or back, followed by neurological problems (such as weakness or numbness of the arms or legs or a change in normal bowel or bladder habits) are the most common symptoms of a spinal tumor Back pain that does not diminish with rest, and pain that may be worse at night than during the day Any of the above symptoms along with loss of appetite, unplanned weight loss, nausea, vomiting, or fever, chills or shakes
Fever, some type of increased pain, and other symptoms of infection Fever can indicate an infection. A spinal infection can either occur quickly (e.g., within 1-2 weeks following fusion surgery) or develop over time (e.g. in elderly persons or those with compromised immune systems). Spinal infections are rare, but can be quite dangerous if the infection moves into the spinal canal and causes an epidural abscess (a pus-filled cavity in the epidural space). Pressure from an abscess pressing on the nerve structures in the cervical or thoracic spine can result in paraplegia or quadriplegia.
Wound infections after spine surgery occur in about 1% of patients, with certain groups (e.g., diabetics or persons with other medical conditions) more likely to develop infections than others. A wound infection after spine surgery may present the following symptoms: fever (>101 degrees), increasing redness around the incision, increasing pain and a change in the drainage from the wound.
An infection of the vertebral body in the spine (called vertebral osteomyelitis) is also quite rare, especially in young healthy adults. It is usually spread to the spine by veins which bring bacteria from other parts of the body. There are a number of possible causes of this condition, such as a urologic procedure (e.g., cystoscopy, a diagnostic test using a thin telescope to inspect the bladder, often prescribed when there is blood in the urine or before prostate surgery), intravenous drug abuse, or long-term use of steroids to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Severe, unrelenting abdominal and lower back pain The pain of an abdominal disorder can often extend to the back and be felt as acute, continuous low back pain. Acute lower back pain can be a symptom of an enlargement of the aorta (large artery) in the abdomen, called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. If the blood vessel ruptures or starts leaking blood this could become a serious medical emergency.
The primary symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm are severe, continuous abdominal and lower back pain. This is a life threatening condition. Anyone with these symptoms needs to seek immediate medical attention.
Types of low back pain In the US, low back pain is one of the most common conditions and one of the leading causes of physician visits. In fact, at least four out of five adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. Ironically, the severity of the pain is often unrelated to the extent of physical damage. Muscle spasm from a simple back strain can cause excruciating back pain that can make it difficult to walk or even stand, whereas a large herniated disc or completely degenerated disc can be completely painless.
The causes of low back pain can be very complex, and there are many structures in the low back that can cause pain. The following parts of spinal anatomy can cause pain:The large nerve roots in the low back that go to the legs and arms may be irritated The smaller nerves that innervate the spine in the low back may be irritated The large paired lower back muscles (erector spinae) may be strained The bones, ligaments or joints may be injured The intervertebral disc may be injured
It is important to note that many types of low back pain have no known anatomical cause, but the pain is still real and needs to be treated. However, usually low back pain can be linked to a general cause (such as muscle strain) or a specific and diagnosable condition (such as degenerative disc disease or a lumbar herniated disc).
This article provides a review of the most common types of low back pain and related symptoms. The vast majority of lower back pain conditions will get better with time and can be addressed with conservative treatments, such as osteopathic or naprapathic manipulation, physical therapy, pain medications, etc. However, it is important to note that there are a few symptoms that indicate the need for emergency surgery.
Types of lower back pain that indicate a surgical emergency
There are a few symptoms that are possible indications of a serious medical condition requiring surgery, and patients with these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately. These symptoms include:Sudden bowel and/or bladder incontinence (cauda equina syndrome) Progressive weakness in the legs (cauda equina syndrome) Severe, continuous abdominal and low back pain. People with fever and chills, history of cancer with recent weight loss, or who have just suffered a severe trauma should also seek immediate medical attention.
