lower back pain Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Laser Light Therapy Stimulates Regeneration

The AHA! Team — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 08:05:16 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – I want to share a shocking statistic with you… Around 80% of all the pharmaceuticals sold in America — both prescription and over-the-counter — are manufactured in China. Elsie has been a patient at the Sears Institute for Anti-Aging for years. So when she called me in tears, I told her to come in right away… Elsie was leaving on her dream vacation to Africa in less than a week. But she could barely stand up. Her lower back pain was so severe she didn’t even think she could handle the 19-hour flight from Miami to Kenya. Let alone the six-hour drive from the capital city of Nairobi to the Maasai Mara Reserve, where she was going on a week-long safari. Elsie was desperate for relief but didn’t want to manage the pain with prescription or over-the-counter muscle relaxants or painkillers. She was worried that the side effects of these drugs would ruin her trip. When she walked through the front door of the clinic, Elsie was hunched over and clutching her lower back. I brought her into the exam room, where we had our laser therapy set up. I’m a big believer in non-invasive low-level laser therapy. It works for both acute and chronic pain. It combats pain by stimulating cells to reduce inflammation and speed up healing. And studies back it up. In one study, 30 patients with chronic lower back pain were randomly divided into a red light laser group and a laser placebo group. Both groups underwent treatment three times a week for four weeks.1 The patients were evaluated throughout the study with both pain questionnaires and thermography. By the end of the study, the researchers wrote that the “scores of the Pain Disability Index and maximum pain intensity during day and night significantly reduced” in the patients who received laser therapy. Two additional studies of 151 people found that the relapse rate in patients who had laser therapy compared to a control group was significantly lower after a six-month follow-up evaluation.2 At the Sears Institute, I use different colored lasers to treat different issues. Here’s a quick look at what red, blue, and green lasers can treat… Red Reduces pain Strengthens immune system Increases mitochondria energy Stimulates blood flow Regenerates damaged tissue Improves circulation Reduces inflammation Blue Anti-inflammatory Speeds wound healing Relieves pain Boosts immune system Activates telomerase Releases nitric oxide Green Increases nitric oxide Improves blood flow Increases oxygen Reduces blood pressure Reduces pain/inflammation Boosts sexual function I get a lot of questions about how this therapy works. Here’s what I tell patients like Elsie… During the procedure, different wavelengths and outputs of low-level light are applied directly to the targeted area. The body tissue then absorbs the light. The red and near-infrared light causes a reaction, and the damaged cells respond with a physiological reaction that promotes regeneration. You will feel the laser when it touches your skin. However, the entire procedure is painless and noninvasive. You won’t feel any vibration or heat. Each treatment usually takes just a few minutes. I talked to Elsie once she came back from her trip. It was her dream vacation in every way – and the entire trip was pain-free. Stretch Away Pain Every Day While laser light therapy helped Elsie recover in time for her trip, I also gave her some simple stretches to do in order to keep herself loose and limber. You see, as we age, our flexibility decreases. Certain muscles shorten, and your ligaments get weaker, causing you to lose your range of motion. This can cause a host of back problems. One of the first things you should do is to make stretching a part of your daily routine. This stretch is one you can do before you even get out of bed: Sit up with your legs straight out. Slowly try bending forward to touch your toes. Hold for about 5 seconds and repeat 10 times. While still sitting up, turn your torso to the left and then to the right. Repeat 10 times. Lay back down. While lying flat on your back, bend your right knee, grab it with both hands and try bringing it up to your chest. Hold for a few seconds, and then release. Repeat with your left leg 10 times. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS References: 1. Momenzadeh S, et al. “Evaluation of the effects of intravenous and percutaneous low level laser therapy in the management of myofascial pain syndrome.” J Lasers Med Sci. 2016 Winter;7(1):16-20. doi: 10.15171/jlms.2016.04. Epub 2016 Jan 7. 2. Yousefi-Nooraie R, et a. “Low level laser therapy for nonspecific low-back pain.” Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Apr 16;(2):CD005107. To read the original article click here.

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Can Acupuncture Alleviate Lower Back and Pelvic Pain in Pregnant Women?

AHA Publisher — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 08:00:24 +0000

Dr. Priyom Bose, Ph.D. via News-Medical – Globally, a significant fraction of pregnant women experiences low back and/or pelvic pain (LBPP). LBPP limits the endurance capacity of women while standing, walking, or sitting for a prolonged period. This affects their quality of life and puts restrictions on activities related to weight-bearing. Scientists have recently reviewed available evidence on the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in treating LBPP during pregnancy. This review is available in BMJ Open. This meta-analysis utilized electronic databases, such as PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, to obtain relevant data. What Is LBPP? Clinically, LBPP has been defined as pain in the distal and posterior pelvic regions lateral to the lumbar-sacral junction and between the 12th rib and the gluteal fold. These two types of pains are hard to distinguish. Additionally, women with LBPP often experience depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Mechanistically, the level of relaxin increases significantly during pregnancy, which is produced by the corpus luteum and the uterine decidua. The increased relaxin level enhances motion in the pelvic joints causing LBPP. Although massage therapy, special pillows, and physical therapy are commonly used to alleviate LBPP, these are not clinically recommended as the results of clinical trials on their effectiveness is unclear. Hence, there is a need for effective therapies for LBPP treatment during pregnancy. Effectiveness Acupuncture originated in China, and is associated with inserting solid and thin metallic needles into acupoints along the meridians (ancient physiological system). The meridian theory entails that the body’s vital energy flows through the meridians, i.e., internal organs. It was believed that an unrest condition of the internal organs is reflected at specific points, known as acupoints. At present, acupuncture therapy is practiced in many countries to remediate headaches, dental pains, myofascial pain, and many other pains. Although the underlying analgesic mechanism of acupuncture is not clear, several studies have indicated its association with the neurohumoral mechanism, where an increase in the cerebrospinal fluid endorphins and spinal dynorphins was observed after acupuncture. In contrast to the adverse effects of pain-relieving drugs on pregnant women, acupuncture is considered to be safe and has been used increasingly to relieve the discomforts of pregnancy. Nevertheless, there is scarce clinical data on the effectiveness of acupuncture among pregnant women with LBPP. An increased rate of withdrawal of participants was observed in a clinical study related to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture in women prior to 37 weeks of pregnancy. This is because the participants were concerned about harming their unborn children. After all, the clinical trial was designed to use “forbidden points” for acupuncture. Based on the findings of 10 studies that included a total of 1040 women with LBPP during pregnancy, the current study revealed that acupuncture significantly alleviated LBPP and improved their quality of life during the pregnancy period. Importantly, no adverse pregnancy outcomes including preterm labor were found in patients under acupuncture treatment. Out of the total of seven studies that used “forbidden points’’ for acupuncture treatment, two studies reported preterm birth. However, all newborns were healthy at birth despite preterm contractions. This meta-analysis indicated that acupuncture was a relatively safe and effective intervention in treating women with LBPP during pregnancy. The observation of this review is in line with a previous systemic review that revealed acupuncture for LBPP during pregnancy was a safe and effective procedure. According to a recent meta-analysis, acupuncture treatment relieved the pain for both pregnant and postpartum women. Nevertheless, this meta-analysis only considered a small number of studies and failed to assess the safety profile of maternal acupuncture and its effect on the newborn. Study Limitations The current study included patients whose average age was less than 35 years of age, thus reducing the generalization of the findings. Another limitation of this meta-analysis is the assessment of a small number of studies. The authors did not evaluate the quality of the studies considered in the meta-analysis. Since none of the studies reported the cost of acupuncture treatment, the cost-effectiveness of this therapy was not determined. Conclusions During pregnancy, women are subjected to minimal pharmaceutical interventions, unless absolutely necessary. Non-pharmacological therapies, such as yoga, acupuncture, physical therapy, and exercise are the most attractive options to reduce pain and control comorbidities. Interestingly, several studies have indicated that acupuncture can effectively reduce pain as well as alleviate severe depression in pregnant women with LBPP. In the future, large, multicentre RCTs must be conducted by surveying physiotherapists, midwives, and pregnant women. More clinical trials must be conducted with a robust methodology to minimize biased results. Considering the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy, it is imperative to optimize the intervention protocol, i.e., acupoints, frequency, and duration. Journal reference: Yang, J. et al. (2022) Acupuncture for low back and/or pelvic pain during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ Open. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056878 https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/12/e056878 To read the original article click here.

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Do You Suffer from Chronic Pain? Try THESE Drug-Free, Non-Invasive Natural Interventions to Get Relief

AHA Publisher — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 07:00:56 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Over 20 percent of American adults suffer from chronic pain – defined as pain lasting longer than three months, or pain that persists beyond the normal healing time for an underlying condition or injury. A debilitating and frustrating condition, chronic pain exacts a serious toll on sleep, job performance, interpersonal relationships, and quality of life. While researchers report that chronic pain is one of the leading reasons for individuals to seek medical care, all too often the treatment they receive appears to be sadly inadequate. A newly published study shows that the number of people living with chronic pain significantly increased across every US adult demographic in the years 2002 through 2018, with researchers calling the rise “steep, sustained and pervasive.” STAGGERING Statistics: The Number of Chronic Pain Sufferers Exceeds Those Affected by Heart Disease, Cancer, and Diabetes Combined, Study Reveals In a study involving over 400,000 participants ages 25 to 84 and published in Demography, the researchers relied on data and questionnaires from the National Health Interview Survey. The survey asked about five common sites of pain: the lower back, the neck, the face and jaw, the joints, and the head. Researchers took into consideration the following factors: age, gender, race, ethnicity, education, and income. The team found that chronic pain increased “across the board” in the years of the study. While it rose the most among people of lower income, those of more comfortable means weren’t immune. People with household incomes of roughly twice the poverty level saw an increase of 42 percent in chronic pain, while people whose household income was four times the poverty level saw a 14 percent increase. The results were apparently not what the researchers had been expecting. “You might think that with medical advances, we’d be getting healthier and experiencing less pain, but the data strongly suggest the exact opposite,” commented co-author Dr. Hanna Grol-Prokopcyk, associate professor of sociology at the University of Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences. The joints and the lower back were the most prevalent sources of pain, researchers found. And, reports of chronic pain increased by 10 percent during the study period, which represents 10.5 million more people in pain. The Institutes of Medicine reported that the number of people experiencing chronic pain exceeds those affected by heart disease, cancer, and diabetes combined. While Pain Increased for all Groups, Factors for Chronic Pain Varied by Age Brackets Older participants, those between 65 and 84 years, had physical health issues associated with their chronic pain – such as obesity, diabetes, kidney issues, and high blood pressure. (In fact, 20 percent of pain increase in people aged 45 to 64 are due to arthritis, which becomes more common as people age). Younger and middle-aged people “felt the hurt” through mental health issues such as distress and alcohol abuse. Dr. Grol-Prokopcyk said that the results involving younger age groups demonstrated that pain can be as much a mental health problem as a physical issue. She called for healthcare providers to focus on prevention and management of pain – rather than procedures and medications – and urged an interdisciplinary approach. The “Dark Side” of Prescription Medications Features Abuse, Addiction, and Toxic Side Effects While Western medicine attempts to treat chronic pain with medications such as opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) the side effects of these can be severe. Long-term acetaminophen use has been linked to heart attacks, gastrointestinal bleeding, and liver problems, while NSAIDs increase the risk of stomach ulcers, kidney failure, and stroke. Opioids can not only cause constipation, fatigue, and dizziness but carry the potential for abuse, overdose, and addiction. Ironically, studies have shown that opioids may be ultimately ineffective for chronic pain – and may even worsen it. In fact, the team noted that opioids “may have contributed” to the rise of pain prevalence in the United States. It’s no wonder that many people have turned to natural and alternative methods of pain control. While there is no one solution for the complex problem of chronic pain, natural methods can often help provide a measure of relief. Manage Chronic Pain Naturally With Drug-Free, Non-Invasive Techniques Relaxation techniques – such as guided meditation, biofeedback, and deep breathing exercises – can promote the release of endorphins, neurotransmitters with pain-killing properties. These techniques have been shown in some studies to alleviate muscle tension, muscle spasms, aches, and pains. Tai Chi – a system of slow, continuous movements combined with breathing and relaxation techniques – can improve strength, joint stability, and balance. One review published in Scientific Reports showed that Tai Chi was associated with improvements in chronic pain from arthritis and lower back pain. Other recent studies and reviews have demonstrated beneficial effects from yoga, a combination of specific poses, deep breathing, and relaxation. In one study, “hot” yoga, performed in a heated room, showed particularly promising results. And – while it may be the last thing you feel like doing when suffering from an aching back – moderate aerobic exercise(such as walking, jogging, dancing, and swimming) has been shown to improve chronic pain. (Conversely, inactivity appears to worsen chronic pain). Of course, seek the advice of an integrative physician familiar with your condition before trying a new exercise regimen. Lavender essential oil, inhaled through a diffuser, was shown in one study to lessen the use of painkillers after surgery. And, in one encouraging study, topically applied lavender oil was comparable to the effect of tramadol, a prescription analgesic. Finally, bergamot essential oil aromatherapy has been shown to reduce neuropathic (nerve) pain. For topical application, natural health experts advise blending 10 drops of essential oil to each tablespoonful of carrier oil, such as olive or coconut oil. Chronic pain is not only a leading cause of disability – but may even impact longevity. And, it imposes a huge financial burden. Treating chronic pain carried a staggering $600 billion price tag in 2012, the last year for which statistics were available. Clearly, there is much room for improvement in the treatment of chronic pain. Hopefully, emerging and traditional natural techniques will receive more attention as a tool against this serious public health problem. Of course, as a final thought, never underestimate the value of eating an “anti-inflammatory diet” – which includes staying well-hydrated with clean (pure) water and eating lots of organic vegetables and some fresh fruit. Sources for this article include: MedicalNewsToday.com NIH.gov NIH.gov MedicalNewsToday.com NIH.gov To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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