Spinal Health Back Care UK

The facts are that the vast majority of back pains normally occur in the lower back, mid back and the upper back. Of these, mid back pain is quite rare. The middle portion of the body is built for strength and stability, so that the vital internal organs like the heart, the lungs, the liver, etc. could be adequately protected. As such, there is very little mobility in the mid back and chances of mid back pains are also remote. Still, incidence of disc herniation, disc degeneration or injuries due to a fall or accident, etc. could lead to mid back pain. An MRI scan and CT scan do not reveal much about mid back pain. Hence, consulting a competent GP/Practitioner for mid back pain is essential so that a proper diagnosis is done and remedies applied.

Sometimes, neck pain could extend to mid back and manifest as neck and mid back pain.

We now know that mid back pain is quite rare. Hence, burning mid left back pain should be immediately attended to and a GP must be consulted. This is due to the fact that such burning mid left back pain could be the warning signal for a possible heart attack. Tests like angioplasty have to be resorted to under such circumstances. Ignoring this warning of burning mid left back pain or postponing treatment could prove to be very serious.

Constipation could cause lower back pain but could also lead to mid back pressure. Such persons should include lot of extra fibre in their food to avoid constipation and use laxatives also, if needed, to avert back pain problems. However, constipation leading to upper right quadrant back pain is remote.

Spinal Tumours that could possibly turn into cancer generally reveal the following symptoms. Mid back or neck pain, with weakness or numbness in the arms and legs, severe pain where the Tumour area is compressed, focal spinal pain which is more severe in the mornings, and back pain coupled with loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, sudden loss of weight, fever, etc. Hence, back pains resulting from Tumours should include the removal of the Tumour along with remedies for the back pain. It is to be noted that Tumours never originate in the spine. Hence, patients with cancer in other parts of the body should check with the doctor whether the cancer had spread to the spine, if they develop back pain.

Certain kidney infections could cause mid back pain radiating into upper back. However, a spinal chord injury resulting in back pain could conceal symptoms of kidney infection. Hence, back pains and kidney infections have to be carefully analyzed to find out the real cause for appropriate treatment.

The bottom line though, is that if you are at all concerned about your back pain you must go and see your GP/Practitioner as soon as possible.

MFR) therapists believe that it is fast gaining recognition as the missing link in traditional healthcare. It is pioneered and championed in the US by A Physical Therapist called John F, Barnes who has trained over 50,000 therapists in his approach.

Myofascial (pronounced Myo fashal ) is derived from the Latin words 'myo' for muscle and 'fascia' for band. Fascia, sometimes called fibrous bands or connective tissue, is a 3D continuous web of microscopic hollow tubules that extends without interruption from the top of the head to the tip of the toes. Within these hollow tubules are continuous fibres of elastin and collagens surrounded by a fluid called the ground substance. This network also provides the instant and continuous communication between each and every cell of our body that Dr Lazlo describes.

Myofascial Release Therapy is a specialized form of manual treatment that is well suited to the healing of many acute and chronic pain conditions, fibromyalgia, chronic myofascial pain syndrome, movement restrictions, TMJ disorder (Temporomandibular joint disorder), and carpal tunnel syndrome, to name a few.

Myofascial Release is a gentle form of therapy that produces profound effects throughout the body. Myofascial Release addresses restrictions in the connective tissue, or fascia, of the body. The fascia is an extremely tough tissue that surrounds every muscle, bone, organ, nerve, and blood vessel, down to the cellular level. Fascial restrictions can result from accidents, injuries, repetitive stress situations, surgical or traumatic scarring, and abnormal postures. Any of these traumas can cause the fascial tissue to bind down, exerting abnormal pressures and tensions on pain producing structures.

Myofascial Release is a whole-body therapy. Functionally, the fascial system forms a continuous web from head to toe. Injury to any part of the system can have far-reaching effects on other parts of the body. This helps to explain many individuals' seemingly inexplicable combination of pain complaints. Often times, painful symptoms occur in what might be considered unrelated regions of the body. A basic tenet of Myofascial Release is that no part of the body is separate from the other.

The following is a partial list of conditions for which treatment with Myofascial Release techniques is safe and possibly effective:

 Fibromyalgia
 Chronic myofascial pain syndrome
 Chronic fatigue syndrome
 Back pain
 Neck pain
 Poor posture
 Sacro-iliac pain
 Scoliosis
 Headaches-migraine, sinus, or from muscular tension
 TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction)
 Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
 Head trauma
 Stroke
 Neurologic problems
 Spasm/spasticity
 Carpal tunnel syndrome
 Sports injuries
 Restricted range of motion
 Scars or scar tissue from injuries or surgeries
 Plantar fasciitis

Myofascial Release Therapy is a specialised physical therapy that affects and releases the restrictions within the fascial network.

The therapy is considered an art form by its practitioners. The MFR therapist not only takes in to consideration what they see in the patient’s postural assessment but works directly with what they feel and sense from palpating and treating the body.

Even though the patient may not feel much happening the experienced Therapist can actually feel the fascial restrictions, where they go to and subsequently feels the release of those restrictions during the session.

*However the facts are that myofascial restrictions can't be detected with standard medical imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRIs. In addition, there have been no published trials that have evaluated myofascial release therapy as a treatment for chronic back pain. For these reasons, myofascial release therapy for back pain is not widely accepted in the medical community. However, many physical therapists and massage therapists use such techniques, and anecdotal evidence suggests that myofascial release therapy may relieve back pain in some people. Also, results of a recent Mayo Clinic study, published in 2008 in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, suggest that myofascial release may be as effective as acupuncture in relieving chronic pain. However, large-scale trials are needed to confirm these findings and to evaluate the potential benefit of myofascial release therapy in treating back pain.

So if you have been told that myofascial release therapy may be good for your back pain, always consult a therapist who has training in such techniques. Because as with many other treatments for chronic back pain, myofascial release may benefit some people but not all.

Spinal Lumbar or Lower Back Supports cannot really do anything to prevent pain in the lower back, a new review has reported.

The review, published in the latest issue of The Cochrane Library, found that the large belts which can be worn around the waist when picking up or carrying heavy objects are as effective in reducing pain as education about lifting.

The researchers looked at 15 studies which involved over 15,000 people and looked at both the prevention and treatment of low back pain. They found that patients who did not use such supports reported the same levels of pain or reduced disability as those who had.

Lead author Ingrid van Duijvenbode said that the findings of the review indicate that lumbar supports should not be recommended for patients looking to treat or manage their low back pain.

She said: "There is moderate evidence that lumbar supports do not prevent low back pain or sick leave more effectively than no intervention or education on lifting techniques in preventing long-term low back pain. There is conflicting evidence on the effectiveness of lumbar supports as treatment compared to no intervention or other interventions."

A spokesman for the Arthritis Research Campaign, which funds a great deal of research into alleviating low back pain, said that in most cases, patients benefited from maintaining everyday activities and keeping as mobile as possible, rather than resting.

Unfortunately back pain tends to deter exercise, but medical opinion is now firmly in favour of movement and exercise as part of back care.

Top Tips:

DO & DON'T

Select a form of exercise suitable for your fitness level - if you are a beginner, work up gradually. Don't do much in your first few days. Your tolerance will be very low at first, and if you do too much you won't be able to do anything the next day. Also, you will be put off.

Find an exercise that you enjoy. You will be more likely to continue. Don't do impact sports like running, at least to start with.

Learn to stretch. Stretches should be done slowly and gently, without jerks or excessive force. Don't just copy others, especially athletes! To get it really right, book a session with a physiotherapist. Don't do sports which make you bend your back, or move suddenly, like cycling or squash, until your back is fully recovered.

Stop if an activity creates increasing pain in your back. Find a different sport until you are fitter. Don't waste money on a home workout machine. Most people quickly stop using them because they are so boring.

Wear good quality trainers. These are excellent for reducing impact forces with the ground, which otherwise generate a shockwave up the back. Don't avoid lifting altogether. Moderate loads on your back are needed to build up fitness in the back muscles. But lift correctly.

Don't play competitive team games to start with - you may be tempted to overdo it, or you might hurt your back in a collision.

The best type and intensity of exercise is different according to your condition, your fitness and the state of your back. You need some exercise, but not too much. That's why you may be given conflicting advice by different experts. If that happens, learn the broad principles and then go your own way - it's your body and only you can feel it.

The key is to start gently, choose your sports carefully, and gradually develop into a more strenuous regime. Getting fit is a stress/recovery process, while most bad backs result from too much or too prolonged stress, with incomplete recovery. Your exercise "sweet spot" will be unique to you, and will change as you get fitter and your back heals.

Find something that you enjoy and that can be easily incorporated into your daily life. This can be easy to achieve, for instance: if you normally get the bus to work, try getting an earlier one and getting off a few stops earlier. Park your car further away from your destination and walk. When going out to lunch, try to find a restaurant that is within walking distance. Walk up or down stairs instead of taking the lift.

Why exercise is good for your back:

When abdominal and back muscles are toned, they work together like a natural corset for your back, providing support and improving posture.

Fit muscles have better fine control and more power in reserve, giving smoother motion during lifting and moving.

Fitness postpones fatigue, helping you avoid tired habits like not lifting correctly.

Exercise makes bones denser and stronger.

With stretching, exercise increases flexibility, helps you use good postures for lifting and sitting.

Helps you lose weight and stop smoking! Excess body weight and smoking are bad for backs.

Exercise improves blood circulation, and so enhances nutrition and recovery processes in your back.

BackTrouble.co.uk

Discomfort and Pain related to Parkinson’s can be an issue for around 40 per cent of people with Parkinson’s. In some cases, pain may be the principle symptom ahead of others such as those relating to movement.

On the other hand, pain can be caused by any number of things and is not always associated with Parkinson’s so it is important to discuss pain with a doctor. Pain experienced by people with Parkinson’s can partly be a result of rigidity and reduced movement of the joints. If pain is a symptom, many people with Parkinson’s experience it in the back, neck, shoulders and sometimes in the legs. Pain experienced by people with Parkinson’s can be varied. Several common types of pain are discussed here but there are others of course. Again, any pain should be discussed with a general practitioner or other medical professional.

Musculoskeletal pain or muscle and joint pain is very common for people with Parkinson’s. There is a close relationship between Parkinson’s and musculoskeletal disease such as arthritis and osteoporosis. Parkinson’s results in stiffness and reduced frequency and range of movements. Conversely, pain can reduce the motivation to move. Rigidity, abnormalities of posture and lack of spontaneous movement can all contribute to musculoskeletal pain. This type of pain is most commonly felt as an ache around joints, arms and legs. Musculoskeletal pain can be felt in the back affecting posture.

Dyskinetic pain can be a secondary problem to dyskinesias (abnormal involuntary movements) that some people with Parkinson’s experience. Pain from dyskinesias can occur before during or after the dyskinesias. Dyskinetic pain can result from fluctuations in a person’s responses to standard anti-parkinsonian drugs such as levodopa. Note: Dyskinesias are not usually painful unless there is Dystonia.

Dystonia is the abnormal spasm or posturing of body parts such as toes, fingers, ankles or wrists. An example is the feet twisting inwards or toes curling downwards. Dystonia can be painful, rather like a muscle cramp. It can occur in “on or off” phases but usually occurs in “off ” phases.

Muscular cramps can result from rigidity and a reduction in or absence of movement (akinesia).

Radicular pain is a sharp often shock-like shooting pain that radiates or travels down a leg or arm and may involve fingers and toes. It is pain that occurs close to a nerve or a nerve root. People usually describe root pain as a sharp, lightning like sensation that radiates towards the end of a limb. Often radicular pain is a result of a trapped nerve within the spinal cord around the neck or back region.

Neuropathic Pain

People with Parkinson’s can experience naturopathic pain which is often described as a ‘burning’ or cold feeling. It commonly occurs in the feet. A person experiencing this type of pain can find it uncomfortable to have anything touch their feet or legs such as a blanket.

Depression and Pain

Chronic pain can bring about or aggravate depression. People with Parkinson’s have a higher than average risk of developing depression. Sometimes treating the depression helps alleviate the pain although more commonly, existing pain becomes more manageable.

Other

Discomfort in the legs can be troublesome and persistent for people with Parkinson’s. It is sometimes associated with a compulsion to move the legs (akathisia).

Parkinson’s fact sheet

What help is available for pain?

An effective treatment plan worked out with a doctor is an important step towards managing pain. A doctor will be helped a great deal by information from their patient about pain.

To help your doctor help you manage pain, it can be useful to make notes to help answer questions like:

• Where is your pain located?

• What does your pain feel like?

• Does the pain radiate anywhere?

• Do you have pain continuously, or only at certain times?

• Does the pain occur in relation to any particular activity?

• What relieves the pain?

• What makes the pain worse?

• Do your anti-Parkinson’s medications relieve your pain?

• Do you have arthritis?

Types of Treatment

The best treatment for pain will depend on the cause of pain. If the pain is a result of excessive immobility or rigidity, a doctor may prescribe dopaminergic therapy, physical therapy and an exercise programme. Some forms of pain may respond to simple painkillers such as paracetomol.Vigorous massage could help relieve cramp as can the application of local heat with a hot water bottle or wheat bag. Cramps that originate in the muscle can be treated with quinine. The treatment for Dystonia is usually to increase the dopamine medication.

An effective treatment plan worked out with a doctor is an important step towards managing pain. A doctor will be helped a great deal by information from their patient about pain. Physiotherapy can assist with pain management through methods such as manual therapy, the use of heat, cold or some electrical equipment. For back pain posture is important. Parkinson’s can promote flexion or bending and flexion of the back is mechanically stressful and promotes pain. Stretches and appropriate exercises discussed with a medical professional are very useful. Low doses of some antidepressant medication especially tricyclics such as Nortriptyline and Amitriptyline can sometimes help alleviate pain whether or not there is any depression. These medications are most often used to treat neuropathic pain.

Complementary therapies such as Chiropractic or Osteopathy may be an option to help ease pain. A discussion with a doctor is important before trying any complementary therapies. Acupressure and massage can be effective in reducing muscular pain for people with Parkinson’s. Managing pain is important. Pain can seriously affect the quality of life for the person with Parkinson’s and prevent them taking part in activities which would help ease other symptoms or give enjoyment. Unmanaged pain can contribute to poor sleep and worsen other symptoms like depression. It is important that you do not ‘suffer in silence’ so informs your doctor if you are experiencing pain.

Please do not interpret anything in this article as personal medical advice, always check any medical problem with your Doctor.

Further information may be obtained from your local branch of UK Parkinson’s Society
Free phone 0808 800 0303. Email: enquiries@parkinsons.org.uk

References: Pain in Parkinson’s disease, Parkinson’s disease Foundation, 2005.Pain in Parkinson’s, Information Sheet, Parkinson’s disease Society, 2006.Parkinson’s Disease and Pain. Stephen A. King. Geriatric Times, Vol 1, Issue 3, September/October 2000.