Sunday 30 March 2008

Back Pain Relief

There is generally no respite from back pain, once you have an injury in this area; proprietary medication is often the first route to back pain relief; The problem with pain relief medication is that it doesn't help the cause of the problem, just merely makes it a little more bearable.


As far as the sufferer is concerned, this medication should only be taken whilst under supervision by a medical expert. The back is under a constant strain throughout our lives and whilst it is very strong, spinal injury is one of the most common conditions around the world and even sitting incorrectly can create a long term problem.


Most spinal problems are a result of lifting heavy weights but they can also be caused by lifting even light weights incorrectly, the pain is usually experienced in the lower back. More recently people are willing to try natural back pain relief treatments to stop their reliance on other types of medication. Tense muscles in the back can be eased just by gentle stretching; this provides relief and is simple to carry out.


Success at reducing pain and providing relief has also been found by people using reflexology to the feet. It is often successful at treating people with long term conditions. Another benefit to reflexology is how it can improve the circulation which helps to ease tense muscles.


Acupuncture on the other hand has been used in China since before the birth of Christ and has had considerable success in helping sufferers. It is providing back pain relief even though this is something that has only recently being used in the Western world. The use of needles in Traditional Chinese medicine could be over 5,000 years old. The Chinese believe we all have this special energy force flowing through us, when we become sick it doesn't flow correctly. Acupuncture needles when inserted at particular points can release this energy. Like reflexology, acupuncture seems to be used by people who suffer with chronic conditions like back pain which requires relief.


The Chinese discipline of tai chi has also provided relief as it uses yoga like principles. It is far easier and much slower so there is less likelihood of further damage being caused. The most important aspect of tai chi is that almost anyone can participate as it uses gentle breathing exercises and techniques to help relax the body.


A good preventative form of back pain relief is to actually exercise more regularly. This not only conditions the back but is an excellent preventative measure.

Friday 28 March 2008

Managing you asthma

Of all the respiratory problems around the world it is asthma which has become the number one concern; it is also a worry because the increase in the number affected has happened over a short time period. For sufferers of asthma, this chronic condition is serious as they have difficulty breathing when their air passages react adversely to atmospheric and other allergens. This is a respiratory condition that when not treated properly can easily result in death, if the attack is not attended to in time or is severe.


There are ways to reduce the risks of attacks though by carefully monitoring the condition which is the responsibility of the asthma sufferer on a daily basis. Once the severity of the condition is know there are three main ways to treat it; carrying out preventative measures, treating small attacks and dealing with serious life threatening attacks.


Whilst all sufferers will be given some form of Bronchodilator to help with short term relief for attacks, patients who only have a mild form will probably never need to use anything else. For people with mild persistent attacks, low-dose glucocorticoids, a mastcell stabilizer or leukotriene modifiers are to be taken in addition to relievers. In severe asthma cases, oral glucocorticoids may be added to these treatments during attacks.


It is also important that asthmatics learn what actually triggers an attack so they are able to stay clear of the triggers and possibly stop attacks completely. The problem is now believed to be made worse as a result primarily of atmospheric pollution which tends to be found in industrial areas and cities.


Any medication is designed to relieve attacks but long term use can cause detrimental side-effects like fatigue, frequent dizzy spells, impotence, liver damage and depression. Increasingly patients with respiratory conditions are opting for more natural remedies that do not have side-effects. These are formulated to treat the condition and not the effects.


Every attack causes the body to become weak due to the stress placed upon it, so the drugs used have a catalyst to help calm the body down and make it stronger. By using natural medication, the side-effects are eliminated because they contain natural catalysts to soothe the body and restore it to a calm state.


Some yoga disciplines are based around breathing techniques and now many asthma sufferers are using these techniques to control their situation and improve their health. Drugs can leave residues which complementary therapies do not and the immune system can be strengthened by nutritional supplements. Ultimately, the most important factor is the asthma patient learning to manage their own condition.