Body – Watzup Today

Types of Therapy Treatment

Watzup Today — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 22:27:32 +0000

Back pain is a prevalent issue that has many solutions. Mild forms of back pain can be resolved through equally moderate means, such as cutting back on intense exercise or temporarily wearing a back brace. Chronic back pain may lead to more intense relief methods like chiropractic treatment or surgery.

Passive and active physical therapies are also ways to resolve back pain. Back therapy involves taking conservative measures to resolve back pain. Unlike surgeries or even anti-inflammatory medication, the effects of back therapy are not as instantaneous, but they ultimately provide a longer-lasting relief that goes beyond the pain of the moment by strengthening your back long into the future.

Types of Back Therapy

Back pain therapy comes in two different forms: passive and active.

Passive physical therapy involves work that is done on contact with the body. This includes:

Physical Therapy. Physical therapy can help with recovery after some surgeries. Your doctor may suggest physical therapy for injuries or long-term health problems such as arthritis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Your physical therapist will examine you and talk to you about your symptoms and your daily activity. He or she will then work with you on a treatment plan. The goals are to help your joints move better and to restore or increase your flexibility, strength, endurance, coordination, and/or balance.
Heat Therapy. When heat is placed on the affected area, it induces vasodilation, which increases blood flow in the body to deliver oxygen and nutrients. It soothes the muscles to relieve it of spasms, tension, and stiffness. Heat should be administered in the form of steamed towels, heated water bottles, or cloth-covered bags of beans or rice.
Ice Therapy. Placing ice on pain may seem counterintuitive, but ice is a great form back pain therapy that reduces inflammations, spasms, and stiffness. Cold therapy can be done through ice packs, chilled water bottles, or compressors. Remember to cover these with a towel or cloth to prevent skin damage.
Ultrasound Therapy. Using high-frequency waves through a probe placed on the skin, ultrasound therapy delivers back pain relief that penetrates through to the muscles and tissues. This initiates vasodilation, which opens the muscles to relieve blood and no longer cause pain. A physical therapist is required to administer ultrasound therapy for back pain.
Electrical Stimulation Therapy. Also known as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), electrical currents are applied to the muscles in order to relieve stiffness, improve mobility, and resolve pain. The currents also help stimulate endorphins and other natural pain killers for pain relief.

Active physical therapy involves exercising and strengthening activities that the patient does on their own or with the help of a trainer. This will usually commence mildly, through long walks or water aerobics. As time and healing progress, the activities may becomes more intensified to build muscles and strengthen joints, which ultimately help prevent your back from experiencing pain later on.

Using Back Therapy to Relieve Pain

Therapy is a great way to resolve back pain. Most of the procedures are non-invasive and non-addictive, making it safe to do over long periods of time with little side effects.

Most of all, back pain therapy works. In many cases, they are used as the first step to getting rid of pain, and they often end up being the only necessary step. Whether you end up using a combination of ice and heat therapy, or have a physical therapist perform TENS, back pain therapy works to resolve your back pain.

Stop Your Migraine By Smelling This Fruit!!

Watzup Today — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 15:04:25 +0000

For some that don’t know, migraines can be triggered by certain smells. From 20%-70% of migraine sufferers experience headaches caused by smells and its the 2nd most common migraine trigger. It may involve perfumes, paint, gasoline, bleach, cooking smells, cigarette smells, car exhaust, and so on.

So, what about the opposite effect? Smelling something to help your migraine?

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The Mind Body Connection Treatment

Watzup Today — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 22:55:59 +0000

Most people don’t realize that much of back pain can be caused by psychological factors. Things like stress, emotional duress, or pressure can indirectly impact the amount of pain you experience. By taking control of your thoughts and emotions, you can harness the motivation and positive energy that any physician or medical practitioner can confirm as crucial factors in healing back pain.

Mind relaxation techniques have been a rising as a popular form of treatment for all kinds of pain relief, including the back and neck. In other forms of treatment, the psychological aspect is often paid little attention or ignored altogether. Focusing part of your treatment plan towards improving your state of mind has the potential to provide the complete pain relief that lasts well beyond weeks and months.

If you have been experiencing chronic back pain and have been unsuccessful in finding relief through other treatments or surgeries, mind relaxation techniques may be an option worth pursuing.

Types of Mind Relaxation Techniques

There are several types of mind relaxation techniques that can relieve back pain. Some of more well-known types are:

Cognitive behavioral therapy: Through counseling sessions, cognitive behavioral therapists work with patients to overcome psychological and emotional causes of pain. They attempt to alter the way patients think about their pain and try to empower them to take control of it. Cognitive behavioral therapy is considered a legitimate medical practice and is often covered under insurance plans as an alternative form of pain relief.
Hypnosis: Despite its image in popular culture, hypnosis is a legitimate form of therapy that aims to relax the mind and focus on the pain so that the patient is able to have a different mentality about it. Hypnosis is administered by a certified hypnotist who evaluates your condition and symptoms like a normal doctor. Part of the procedure involves placing you in a trance where they can influence the subconscious and bodily perception of pain to alter it.

Other mind relaxation techniques that also have the potential to eliminate back pain are:

Muscle-release techniques
Progressive relaxation therapy
Yoga, or Viniyoga
Tai Chi
Guided Imagery
Biofeedback
Talk therapy

Back pain relief doesn’t only have to come from physical-based treatment. To learn more about mind relaxation techniques and back pain relief, continue browsing the site or drop a message in our comment section so we can reply back to any specific questions you may have on this topic. Also, speak with your physician who may be able to refer you to a professional with a proven track record of success.

Stretch Your Back – Cat-Cow Pose

Watzup Today — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 00:37:32 +0000

The cat-cow stretch is a essential yoga movement for good reason. It consists of moving the spine from a rounded position (flexion) to an arched one (extension). It’s a basic motion, but one that can be enormously beneficial in preventing back pain and maintaining a healthy spine, especially if you spend a lot of time sitting.

Each movement is done in conjunction with either an inhalation or exhalation of the breath. If you already have back pain, check with your doctor before doing this exercise to make sure these movements are appropriate for your condition.

Instructions for the Cat-Cow Stretch

1. Start on your hands and knees, aligning your wrists underneath your shoulders and your knees underneath your hips.

2. Think of the spine as a straight line connecting the shoulders to the hips. Try visualizing the line extending forward through the crown of the head and backward through the tailbone. This is the position of a neutral spine.

3. Keep the neck long, as the natural extension of the spine, by looking down and out.

Inhale and Arch for Cow Pose

1. Curl your toes under.

2. Tilt your pelvis back so that your tail sticks up.

3. Let this movement ripple from your tailbone up your spine so that your neck is the last thing to move.

4. Your belly drops down, but keep your abdominal muscles hugging your spine by drawing your navel in.

5. Take your gaze up gently up toward the ceiling without cranking your neck.

Exhale and Round for Cat Pose

1. Release the tops of your feet to the floor.

2. Tip your pelvis forward, tucking your tailbone. Again, let this action move up your spine.

2. Your spine will naturally round.

3. Draw your navel toward your spine.

4. Drop your head.

5. Take your gaze to your navel.

Repeat the cat-cow stretch on each inhale and exhale, matching the movement to your own breath.

Continue for 5-10 breaths, moving the whole spine. After your final exhale, come back to a neutral spine.

Health & Body Benefits with Tai Chi

Watzup Today — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 13:43:15 +0000

The 2,000-year-old Chinese practice of tai chi is a branch of Qigong — exercises that harness the qi (life energy). Tai chi has been linked to numerous health benefits, including improvements in the quality of life of breast cancer patients and Parkinson’s sufferers. It has shown promise in treating sleep problems and high blood pressure.

A recent study found that tai chi promotes balance, flexibility, cardiovascular fitness, and strength. A group of research subjects who practiced tai chi improved more than 30 percent in lower-body strength and 25 percent in arm strength — nearly as much as a weight-training group and more than people who took up walking as exercise.

According to U.S. News & World Report:

“… [I]n 85 percent of trials, tai chi lowered blood pressure. Other studies have shown it to reduce blood levels of B-type natriuretic peptide, a precursor of heart failure, and to maintain bone density in postmenopausal women.”

In a similar vein, meditation is a known painkiller, and a new study has revealed why — meditation changes the way your brain processes pain signals. Researchers report that practicing mindfulness meditation for just four days affects pain responses in your brain. Brain activity decreases in areas devoted to monitoring a painful body part, and also in areas responsible for relaying sensory information.

Live Science reports:

“The practice known as mindfulness meditation involves sitting quietly and comfortably while breathing evenly. The idea is to clear the mind and focus the attention on the present.”

If you’re looking for a gentle, mind-body activity to add to your fitness routine, tai chi is a phenomenal choice. A form of Chinese martial arts, tai chi is an ancient form of self-defense that is said to support the balance of “yin and yang” in your body, thereby improving the flow of “qi,” or life energy.

Often described as “meditation in motion” or “moving meditation,” the activity takes your body through a specific set of graceful movements. Your body is constantly in motion and each movement flows right into the next. While practicing tai chi, your mind is meant to stay focused on your movements, relaxation and deep breathing, while distracting thoughts are ignored. More than 2 million Americans have already taken up this ancient art form, and you might want to join them once you learn about all of its benefits.

Tai Chi’s Impressive Health Benefits

Tai chi has been linked to a wide array of benefits for virtually everyone who does it, from kids to seniors and all ages in between. Part of the allure is that it’s so gentle, it’s an ideal form of activity for people with pain or other conditions that prevent more vigorous exercise. You can even do tai chi if you’re confined to a wheelchair.

woman doing tai chi tree pose on desert rocks as form of fitness workout

In one of the newest studies, those who practiced tai chi gained improvements in balance, strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness. They also improved nearly as much as a strength-training group in both lower-body and arm strength. This gentle exercise has also been found to reduce blood pressure in about 85 percent of trials reviewed, while offering benefits for pain, stress and anxiety, too.

Other noted benefits include:

•Improvements in physical condition, muscle strength, coordination, and flexibility
•Better balance and mobility
•Lower risk of falls, particularly in the elderly
•Improvements in pain and stiffness, including arthritis pain
•Improved sleep and overall wellness
•Enhanced immune system

Further research has also found that after 12 weeks of tai chi, people with fibromyalgia did significantly better in measurements of pain, fatigue, physical functioning, sleeplessness and depression.

Scientists aren’t certain as to exactly why tai chi seems to benefit so many different health conditions, but it’s likely because it impacts your body on multiple levels — physical, psychological, social (tai chi is often done together as a group in parks and other outdoor spaces), and even spiritual. Undoubtedly, part of the benefit also comes from its mind-body influence, including its focus on meditation.

Whatever the mechanism, even respected conventional health institutions such as the Mayo Clinic and Harvard Medical School recommend Tai Chi for its health benefits, especially as a stress-reduction tool. However, there are more studies available than you might think; suggesting Tai Chi has an impressive range of health benefits. To browse through them, please see the WorldTaiChiDay.org web site.

Meditation in Motion

Tai chi is described as “meditation in motion” because your mind stays focused on your movements and remains in the present moment. This not only helps you reduce stress and anxiety, but it also offers similar benefits to meditation. Meditation has the power to actually alter the way your mind works by strengthening the areas of your brain that regulate attention and memory. When you’re better able to focus and concentrate, you can perform routine tasks quickly and efficiently, leaving yourself with the time and energy you need to take on new goals and challenges.

Rather than doing the same things the same way, with the same mindset and the same disappointing results, meditation allows you to set the stage for the changes you want to make in your life. But, like tai chi, meditation also offers benefits on a physical level. A new study found that mindfulness meditation, which involves focusing on your breathing and clearing your mind of worrying, judgmental thoughts, can reduce your perceptions of pain by 57 percent.

What’s more, this benefit came from just four days of meditation! So you needn’t be a meditation master to expect to see results. Past studies have also linked meditation to a host of health improvements, including helping to relieve:

•Chronic pain, including headaches
•High blood pressure
•Respiratory problems such as emphysema and asthma
•Sleep disturbances and fatigue
•Gastrointestinal distress and irritable bowel syndrome
•Skin disorders
•Mild depression and premenstrual syndrome
•RA (rheumatoid arthritis) symptoms

Qigong Found Effective for Pain and Anxiety

A 1999 study into the effects of qigong on pain confirmed that, whatever the mechanism, this type of gentle exercise does have a marked effect.In this block-random placebo-controlled clinical trial, participants aged 18 to 65 suffering with complex regional pain syndrome type I received either qi emission and qigong instruction by a qigong master, or a similar set of instructions by a sham master.

The study concluded that:

“Among the genuine qigong group, 82 percent reported less pain by the end of the first training session compared to 45 percent of control patients. By the last training session, 91 percent of qigong patients reported analgesia compared to 36 percent of control patients. Anxiety was reduced in both groups over time, but the reduction was significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group.”

If You Want to Give Tai Chi and Meditation a Try …

You can learn tai chi at home from books or DVDs, but joining a class with an experienced instructor will ensure you’re doing the movements correctly and safely. Many areas now offer courses in tai chi, so check your local health club or yoga studio for classes in your area.

You can also take professional courses in meditation, or join in a group meditation session, which are often offered by yoga studies or certain religious centers. This is an excellent way to fully immerse yourself in this activity, but you can also try it on your own.

To test your meditation wings, sit quietly, perhaps put on some soothing music, and close your eyes. Breathe rhythmically and focus — on your breathing, a flower, an image, a candle, a mantra or even just being in the moment. If you find that your mind starts to wander, direct it back to your focus point and continue from there.

Ideally, set aside 15-20 minutes a day to practice meditation. You can also try it in shorter segments, but ultimately try to work your way up to 20 minutes. Remember, tai chi can also act as a form of meditation, so if you’re just starting out and don’t feel you have time for both, you can use your tai chi as your meditation session.

Sources and References

U.S. News & World Report November 26, 2010
Live Science November 18, 2010
Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, San Diego, California November 16, 2010

Back Pain Management

Watzup Today — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 00:23:47 +0000

Managing back pain is often times an individual endeavor. From watching your posture to taking medication or possibly some cream, back pain management can be done independently to support back pain relief. Some of the ways you can accomplish this is “possibly” through medication and do-it-yourself therapies. I generally try to avoid any type of medication and go the holistic route. But in some cases some people may need medication to help cope with their extreme pain. As mentioned before it varies with each person.

Common over-the-counter medications used in independent pain management are:

Bayer
Excedrin
Motrin
Aleve
Percocet
Flexerill
Ativan
Dalmane
Halcion
Klonopin
Valium
Ambien
Lunesta
Sonata
Cymbalta
Willow Bark

Back pain medication should only be used as instructed on the label for the best results. While all work to get rid of pain, certain medications may target only certain types of pain, such as those concentrated around the muscles or the joints. Read the label carefully and do some research to help you find the most effective pain medication you need to for independent pain management.

Other forms of individual pain management include:

Minimally invasive surgery: Although it is technically a form of surgery, its minimally-invasive nature renders it a viable form of pain management that has a shortened recovery time, allowing the patient to practically manage the pain on their own.
Ice and heat therapy: Using cold and heat packs to alleviate pain, ice and heat therapy can be done virtually anywhere with a variety of objects. Heated or frozen towels can be placed anywhere on the back to reduce swelling and the discomfort of back pain. It has proven to be a legitimate form of pain management that costs little while providing great relief.

For chronic back pain management, a physician’s visit should first be completed before attempting any form of independent pain management. Chronic back pain is usually an indicator of larger underlying issues that will likely need to be addressed by a physician’s evaluation. Prescription or over-the-counter medication could be recommended, but other treatment options for surgery or therapy may also be suggested.

When done properly, managing back pain effectively can lead to lasting relief. With a physical exam, possibly some use of medication if you decide to go this route, and the consideration of other therapies, back pain management can lead to a more active and functional life.

Acupuncture for your Back

Watzup Today — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 15:06:56 +0000

Acupuncture or Acupressure: These alternative treatments developed in China. Practitioners believe that you have an energy force called Chi. (It can also be spelled Qi, but both forms are pronounced “chee.”) When this force is blocked, you can develop physical illness, such as back pain. Therefore, you need to free up your body’s Chi channels, which practitioners call your meridians. Acupuncture and acupressure work to restore a healthy, energetic flow of Chi.

Acupuncture uses very fine needles, and practitioners insert them into precise points in your body’s meridians—exactly where is determined by your symptoms. The needles, which contain no medication, are left in for 20 to 40 minutes. Research has shown that the presence of the needles causes your body to release certain neurochemicals, such as endorphins, and they help in the healing process.

Acupressure works along the same principles as acupuncture, except practitioners use their thumbs, fingers, and elbows to target the specific Chi points.

Types of Back Pain Treatment

Watzup Today — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 15:30:06 +0000

Like many forms of pain, back pain has numerous treatment and care methods that work to prevent or get rid of back pain from hindering everyday tasks. Back pain affects nearly 8 in 10 adults at some point in their lives, which means back pain treatment needs to be flexible enough to where almost anyone living any type of lifestyle can find a solution.

From surgery to medication and mind-body techniques, the solution for your back pain must always start with a professional diagnosis. Only a qualified physician is able to accurately identify the type, location, and source of the pain. Imaging tests like X-Rays and MRIs are commonly done to obtain a detailed look at the pain you feel.

Back treatment comes in many forms. Some of the most common are discussed in this section, including:

Surgery
Medication
Alternative Treatment
Therapy
Mind-Body Techniques

The main thing to keep in mind about back pain is that it is highly treatable, often without the help of surgery or other invasive techniques. Through enough care and lifestyle adjustment, back pain can be typically be resolved within a matter of days or weeks. Chronic back pain, however, may need to be inspected to see if other treatment options may need to be explored.

Lower Back Pain Treatment

People experience lower back pain more than any other type of back pain. Known as the lumbar region, our lower back and hips receive most of the impact we place on our bodies every day. Problems can arise when these areas are not well-maintained or under-utilized; too much or too little activity can equally cause pain to your lower back.

Most of the treatments and care methods outlined on this site are geared toward lower back pain. Treatment can be in the form of surgeries, which go in to release pressure on the nerves or adjust intervertebral discs that may have slipped out. Other potential solutions may come in the form of psychological alternative forms, such as chiropractic care or acupuncture.

In any case, meeting with your physician is the first step to getting started on any road to recovery toward a pain-free back. By having tests and physical exams completed, back pain treatment that works for your body and lifestyle can be achieved.

Learn more about the various conditions, symptoms, and treatments that can help inform you of your options here

Techniques to Relieve Neck Pain

Watzup Today — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 00:44:00 +0000

Neck pain is a very common problem, as eight of ten Americans will complain of neck or back pain at some point in their lives. The causes of neck pain vary from muscle strain stemming from overuse to degenerative neurological conditions. For the most part, general neck pain is not a sign of a serious problem and will go away on its own. Several types of home care can help sufferers get neck pain relief.

Stretching exercises. Moving the neck from side to side and holding it in position for around thirty seconds can help relieve pain due to overuse. Stretching the neck daily under the direction of a doctor can also give neck pain relief through prevention. This type of stretching can improve posture and help with muscle strength.
Hot and cold compresses. Alternating between hot and cold maximizes relief by reducing inflammation while also promoting muscle relaxation. An ice pack applied up to twenty minutes a day can reduce swelling, and a hot shower or heating device and help relax soreness.
Rest. Too much rest can cause more stiffness in the neck, but lying down every so often can give a person neck pain relief by taking the burden of holding up the head off the neck muscles.

Sometimes neck pain is too severe, too frequent, or too unresponsive for home care treatment alone. In these cases, it is important to see a doctor. Common treatments for neck pain under these circumstances include:

Short-term collar use. Immobilizing the neck using a padded collar may provide neck pain relief by taking strain off the muscles in the neck; however, most medical professionals advise against using this device long-term, as it can promote weakness and further problems.
Traction. This is a type of physical therapy that uses pulley and weights to gently stretch muscles while keeping the neck immobilized. If done correctly by a physical therapist, this can be a very effective way of achieving neck pain relief.
Steroid injections. This solution is for severe neck pain that stems from nerve irritation. Steroids help the nerves in the muscles calm down. Other pain-reducing agents can be given in injection form as well.

Neck pain can negatively affect quality of life, so it’s important for sufferers to find a treatment that works for them. If neck pain is persistent, a trip to the doctor’s office is needed. A doctor will generally ask the exact location and type of pain being experienced. For advanced cases, a doctor may refer out to a rheumatologist (a doctor who specializes in joint diseases and arthritis), a neurologist (a doctor who deals with the nervous system), or an orthopedic surgeon (a doctor who does operations on bones).

Tips for Eliminating Upper Back Pain

Watzup Today — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 23:26:48 +0000

Many people do not realize that upper back pain is starting to become a major issue. While lower back pain is often discussed because there are so many people who suffer from that type of pain, there are actually a large number of people suffering from upper back pain. These individuals are often suffering in silence, not sure exactly how to get rid of the pain they are dealing with. They may have tried numerous methods, including painkillers, but have not seen the results they were hoping for. While this form of pain can be a burden and can even get in the way of an individual’s daily activities, there are tips for managing, reducing, and possibly even eliminating the upper back pain.

The Relation between Lower and Upper Back

The truth is that the upper back and lower back work with one another so if a person is suffering from pain in the upper back, it is likely caused by lower back issues as well. In order to reduce and eliminate such pain, it will be important to work on fixing the lower back issues as well. Stretching can often help, especially when it comes down to strengthening those abdominal muscles. An individual can easily eliminate some of their lower back issues by stretching, which can ultimately help with the upper back as well. A full spine stretch can also help with the pain in the upper back.

Posture and Exercise for Upper Back Strength

Another primary reason that people tend to suffer from pain in the upper back is because they have poor posture. Too many people in this day and age are not sitting or standing properly and will often sit down with their back hunched over, which can lead to serious pain and other problems in the future. It is important for people with upper back pain to start sitting up straight with their shoulders back. It may feel awkward at first but this is the correct way to sit down and can also help to reduce and eliminate some of that unwanted pain.

Exercise is also recommended for eliminating such pain. One may wonder how exercise can do the trick, especially if they are already in pain. However, different forms of exercise can help an individual to build strength of their body, ultimately leading to less pain in the back. And, those who exercise are typically known for being much healthier than those who do not. An individual can make simple changes to their daily lifestyle in order to eliminate their unwanted upper back pain.