Santa Cruz Massage Blog

Massage services in Santa Cruz County, California

30

Nov

Chiropractor Cure For Work Related Back Pain

admin  in Uncategorized

Working in a construction site is a backbreaking job.

This type of work would probably suit those with big, firm muscular arms because working in a construction site, whether for a building or a house, involves carrying heavy materials.

The laborers would work for hours, oftentimes under the hot, glaring sun just to meet the deadline of the project and to it within the specifications of the architect and owner. They eagerly wait for the lunch bell before, sweaty and covered with dust, they would sit down under a shade to eat their packed meals.

It is not a glamorous job but after a few months or even years the outcome of their hard labor is simply satisfying and at times even breathtaking.

They are the nameless people who helped build skyscrapers and monumental pieces of art such as the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Petronas Towers in Malaysia, the Pyramids in Egypt, the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai and even the Taj Mahal in India.

But the manual work does take its toll on the laborers and their body had to bear the burden. Oftentimes they experience back problems and taking those painkiller drugs can no longer remove the sting of pain. They would now be forced to proceed with “Plan B”.

“Plan B” simply means seeking alternative medicines such as a chiropractic treatment. This does not entail undergoing an operation but improvements on the condition on the body would be done by hand.

Chiropractors that specialize in the treatment of low back pain attempt to improve the function of the joints and the nervous system by adjusting vertebral subluxations. Manual spinal adjustments are the key to chiropractic treatment.

Chiropractic adjustments, over the years have become the craze in the United States. There are about more than40 million Americans who receive regular treatment.
no comment

30

Nov

Non-Surgical Back Pain Remedies

admin  in Uncategorized

Back pain (BP) is classified as acute or chronic. Acute BP usually lasts for three months whereas chronic BP can last for a lifetime. Low back pain or LBP is the most common back pain. A majority of individuals have limited or hampered activities because it can be persistent. It is usually felt below the waist and it can occur suddenly with a sharp and dull pain. People younger than 45 years old can have it. Frequent visits to the physician are often instigated by LBP, and in some cases, surgery is required. Hospital admissions are sometimes necessary as it may cause disability. This kind can be categorized as acute or chronic.

The acute kind may be short-lived (lasting only 3 months) compared to chronic kind that can last throughout life. As the name suggests, low back pain is localized in a certain area of the lower back. It can sometimes radiate throughout that area or could extend to the buttocks and the legs. At times, it can be accompanied by general aching and neurological symptoms like numbness, weakness and tingling. If bowel or bladder irregularities, groin or leg weakness or numbness and critical symptoms that persist for several days and interfere with your usual activities occur, then it may require medical attention.

Strenuous physical activities, heavy lifting, abrupt or weighty movement, bending or twisting, improper positioning of the body and being stationary for an extended period of time can trigger lower back pain or may aggravate any back disorder that a person may already have. Other medical conditions of the spine and arthritis can also cause low back pain. LBP does not only indicate a problem in the spine. Through medical assessments, muscle spasm, bone displacement and tender joints can also be the underlying cause. It may even be organ or nerve-related.

Treatment without surgery can be resorted to by most patients. Conventionally, a thorough bed rest combined with medications can be a remedy for inflamed or painful muscles. Prescribed medications are usually commensurate to a patient’s condition, age, current medications and safety. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) are the foremost choice of analgesic. For muscle spasms, muscle relaxants are recommended although they may cause drowsiness. In acute cases and in chronic cases, if necessary, narcotic pain relievers can alleviate the discomfort.

Other methods of low back pain treatments are physical therapy (PT), ultrasound therapy, massage therapy, acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) trial. A well-managed PT program can be remarkably helpful as it has tremendous positive effects on the muscles, in mobility, coordination, balance and relaxation. A structured PT regimen has been proven to be effective as patients who resorted to it showed rapid progress and recovery. Unless expedient, these non-surgical remedies for LBP will suffice as undergoing surgery can be costly.

Spinal surgeries are only considered if worsening nerve impairment, increasing weakness, intolerable pain and spinal unsteadiness, and if bowel or bladder irregularities are experienced.

The author of this article Rose Windale is a Health and Wellness Coach who has been successful with several natural health programs for many years. Rose decided to share her knowledge and tips through her website http://www.healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free newsletter and enjoy a healthy and happy life.

no comment

30

Nov

Facts About Backaches and When to Worry About It

admin  in Uncategorized

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit their doctor. According to the National Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Institute, 8 out of 10 people have some type of backache.

The origin of back pain is unknown in about 85% of the cases, despite sophisticated techniques, which provide detailed anatomical images of the spine and other tissues, we fail to determine what is causing the backache. Although other problems can also cause it, the most common diagnoses include: disk disease, spinal arthritis, and muscle spasms.

In sciatica, there is a pain down into the leg, which travels below the knee, and may involve the foot. There may be numbness and weakness of the lower leg muscles. Some Symptoms may come on their own, but they are often combined with low back pain. The order in which the symptoms appear may vary. Sometimes the back pain comes before the sciatica, and sometimes it will follow.

When To Really Worry About Backache

There is a group of features (the Red Flags) where doctors need to act more quickly. These may suggest a problem which is not just simple back pain or sciatica. You should see your doctor as soon as possible if:

* The pain is constant and getting worse.
* The pain is in the back of the chest.
* The pain follows a violent injury (eg. a road traffic accident).

* You have recently lost a lot of weight.
* You have great difficulty bending forward.
* You have a problems in your nervous system (eg numbness, loss of power, etc).
* You have an obvious structural deformity of the spine.
* You have HIV.

* You are or have been a cancer patient.
* You are younger than 20 or older than 55 when you get the problem for the first time.
* You are using steroids.
* You are a drug abuser
* You are generally unwell in yourself.

Anyway, it is wise to see your doctor if you develop sciatica. Certainly you should consult him or her if you are not able to adequately control the pain with simple painkillers and/or anti-inflammatory drugs, or if the pain carries on for more than two weeks.

Article by Ruben Cardos: pain-management researcher. Find out more about Sciatica, it’s treatment and the revolutionary Feldenkrais Method of Somatic Education which has helped 1000′s of sciatica sufferers to start living a pain free life at: PainAid

no comment

30

Nov

Back Problems – The One Secret They Never Tell You

admin  in Uncategorized

Back problems, you here it all the time, that so many adult shave back pain, that most become chronic and blah blah blah…

You don’t really care do you, because if you are reading an article on back pain, you probably already have it. You are not one of 80%, you have 100% back problems now. So if you have back pain right now, why is there not a simple solution?

Back pain relief is a constant search for people like your self. You want answers to your biggest questions, but most of all you want help.

Can you actually imagine waking up in the morning and feeling 100% fantastic. No more back pain, no more stiffness, able to do anything you wish. Yet you still wake with those same old back problems that have haunted you possibly for years.

On the internet you will see many sits offering assistance. They teach you ways to stretch your tight muscles. There are others that show you exercises to gain strength. The problem is your back pain may ease but it either returns again or never completely disappears in the first instance.

The reason is simple, there is a couple of secrets that few ever tell you about back pain relief.

Back pain is caused by 4 main factors. You have tight muscles that stretches deal with nicely. Although even with stretches, knowing what to stretch is important, knowing how and when to stretch is essential.

There are muscles that are weak, which you need to strengthen. Not just with exercises, you also need to improve their nerve and blood supply. Otherwise your muscles will not gain the “functional” strength they need to repel your back pain.

The other 2 factors are joint movement and pelvic balance. The one secret, that you never seem to be told is…

Adjusting your joints and balancing your pelvis. The one area that you will find very little written about. After all surely adjusting a joint requires you to see a practitioner, doesn’t it?

In fact there are self adjustive techniques you can use to get joints moving better. But this only goes so far. You still need to learn ways to rebalance your pelvis, or joints will also return to their state of tension.

Back problems can be simply eased. You need to realize that back pain relief must target the 4 main factors that cause your back problems. Otherwise your back pain will either remain or return again very soon.

If you are looking for help, no matter where you look. Make sure you use back pain relief regimes that cover all the issues causing your back problems. You can discover the real value of being free of back pain.

Online back pain adviser Dr Graeme Teague has helped more than 4,000 people worldwide to banish their back pain easily, safely and permanently without expensive therapy, medication, equipment or time-consuming exercises. Do you really want to heal yours? If you answered yes, visit Back Pain Relief now.

no comment

30

Nov

Back Pain? Glucosamine and Chondroitin Can Help!

admin  in Uncategorized

Millions of Americans suffer from back pain. From pulled muscles to herniated discs, the pain can be enough to sideline the most determined among us.

One of the most common underlying causes of back pain is a degenerative bone and joint disease called osteoarthritis. This painful form of arthritis occurs when the cartilage cushion in a joint wears down and the exposed bones rub together in the joint. Excess friction in the joints can lead to loss of motion, stiffness and joint pain, due in large part to inflammation.

Osteoarthritis is not genetically linked but it is more common among middle-aged and older individuals. In addition to causing mild to severe pain in the back, it can strike the neck, hands, hips, knees, elbows and feet. When it occurs in the back, degenerative osteoarthritis is usually called facet joint osteoarthritis, as it affects the “facet joints” in the spine.

Conventional medicine has failed to produce a proven treatment to cure or even slow the degenerative progression of osteoarthritis. Instead, the best it has to offer are medications known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which mask pain temporarily by reducing inflammation. Unfortunately, NSAIDs come with a host of dangerous side effects, ranging from mild stomach upset to stroke. Many people suffering from osteoarthritis pain opt to take NSAIDs despite the risks, hoping for some semblance of relief.

There is one treatment alternative shown to reduce inflammation, slow and perhaps even prevent the degeneration of joint cartilage – the underlying cause of osteoarthritis pain. This alternative treatment is supplementation with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, the building blocks of healthy cartilage and connective tissue, are found naturally in the connective tissues of the human body, such as those that cover the ends of bones in the joints. These two substances are in short supply in a damaged joint, resulting in a decreased ability for the joint to produce new cartilage. Regular supplementation with these two naturally occurring “miracle” molecules ensures your body has the raw materials necessary for healthy bones and joints.

Ensuring you have the highest quality glucosamine and chondroitin is key to ensuring you get the relief you need. One product you can trust is Syn-flex Premium Liquid Glucosamine, now in two great formulations – both developed to offer you the most relief possible at the best price. Because Synflex offers liquid delivery of pharmaceutical-grade glucosamine and chondroitin, your body doesn’t have to process the extra binders and fillers that are used in powder and pill formulations. This means more of what you need for your money and faster relief. Instead of the six weeks it typically takes to see results with pills, you could feel results in less than two weeks with Synflex! As if that wasn’t enough, Syn-flex, Synflex contains eleven ingredients, chosen to work synergistically for maximum relief. You can drink it straight or mix it with your favorite beverage – it’s that easy. Relief is within reach – you can beat back pain! Visit http://www.syn-flex-usa.com/ today to find out more.

no comment

15

Nov

How to Make Your Own Rose Hips

admin  in Uncategorized
By: Michael Brooks

I was enjoying a long (very long) hike over the weekend that brought me in contact with a wide variety of plants and animals. While taking a breather at a ranger station, I was admiring a plant which had what looked to be cherry tomatoes or some kind of red berry sprouting from its branches. The ranger said I was looking at a rose bush and the red fruit it was producing went by the name of rose hips.

“Rose Hips” I shrieked. I had known of the supplement for years but had never seen a real live rose hip. I was informed that rose hips form after the rose bloom has died. Almost any rose variety will produce hips but the ranger informed me that the Rosa rugosa formed the tastiest variety if you planned on eating them. Further research confirmed that Rosa rugosa is the bush of choice for tasty rose hips.

Why Eat Rose Hips?
Probably the best reason to eat or drink rose hips is the incredible source of vitamin C that it provides. Studies have shown vitamin C to be helpful with fighting infection, colds/flu, sore throat, fatigue and stress to name a few. Hips provide almost 20 times the amount of vitamin C found in Oranges.

How do I Grow Rose Hips?
As I have mentioned, there seams to be a consensus that Rosa rugosa is the best plant to use for growing rose hips. Let the blooms die on the bush (resist the temptation to cut the beautiful blooms, the more you cut the less hips you will produce) and the hips will begin to form. They will start out green and begin to turn red similar to the way a tomato ripens. Harvest them when they become completely red but not overripe, this usually occurs after the first frost.

Preparing the Hips
You can use rose hips either fresh off the vine, dried, or preserved. To dry the fruit spread the hips out on a clean surface. Allow them to dry until the skin begins to feel dry and slightly shriveled. At this point, split the hips in half and take out all of the seeds and tiny hairs in the center. Remember not to use aluminum pans or utensils as this will destroy some of the vitamin C.

After the seeds are removed you can let the hips dry completely. Don’t wait to remove the seeds until hips are completely dry or you will have trouble with de-seeding.

Store the dried hips in sealed plastic bags. Freeze for long term use or put in the refrigerator if you plan on using over a two or three month period. Hips can be eaten as a semi-sweet snack at anytime. You can also make tea and preserves; I have listed two recipes below to get you started.

What about Supplements?
Rose hip supplements are available at most health food and vitamin stores. For me, the fun is in making your own hips. If you just want vitamin C there isn’t really a whole lot of difference between taking regular vitamin C supplement and vitamin C with rose hips (except the price, hips will cost a bit more).

Recipes
If you are fortunate enough to have roses at your home, here are some recipes you might want to try:

Hip Tea Recipe

  • Place 4-6 hips (prepared as noted above) in the bottom of a non-aluminum pan
  • Add 2 cups of cool water
  • Allow water to come to a boil
  • Let simmer for about 30 minutes (less if you like a weaker tea)
  • Strain and add sweetener to taste

Hip Marmalade

  • Prepare hips as noted above and soak in cool water for several hours
  • Bring hips soaking in water to a boil for about 20 minutes
  • Strain out water
  • Add one cup of brown sugar or granulated sugar per one cup of the strained water
  • Boil the sweetened water until it becomes thick and syrupy
  • Add the previously boiled hips and continue boiling until hips are tender
  • Pour into jars and seal

Enjoy!

Author Bio
Mike Brooks has been a life long follower and proponent of the fitness lifestyle. Through his avid research, Mr. Brooks has come to the realization that being healthy is a choice and encompasses not only proper diet but also a fitness regimen that includes the mind, body and soul. Mike Brooks is the publisher and editor-in-chief for the health information site www.Ultimatehealthreport.com

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com – Free Website Content

no comment

15

Nov

Natural Remedies For Common Ailments

admin  in Uncategorized
By: Lee Dobbins

Some of the best remedies for common ailments seem to have been forgotten in today’s society where a trip to the pharmacy can yield a medicine that will cure anything. The next time you have one of these common ailments, try doing what grandma did and take a trip to your kitchen cabinet instead of to the drug store. It will be kinder on your wallet as well as your health!

While supplements of vitamin C, D and zinc will shorten the lifespan of a common cold, a hot lemon drink is also extremely good. Cool lemon juice and honey are a great soother for a sore throat and gives the body much-needed vitamin C at the same time The juice of one lemon in a glass of water is sufficient.

When you have the cold or flu the constant rubbing of tissue on your nose and lips can cause chaffing and soreness. Try a smear of vaseline or petroleum jelly on those sore lips and nose.

A ‘streaming cold’ where the nose and eyes water profusely, can be inconvenient and even embarrassing but believe it or not, you can help alleviate these runny symptoms with an onion. Simply dip a slice of onion into a glass of hot water for two seconds, then sip the cooled water throughout the day. In fact, onion is a good thing to have around when you have a cold and putting half an onion on the bedside table at night can get rid of your cold symptoms because its odor is inhaled while you sleep.

For those unpleasant times when you suffer from diarrhea, two tablespoons of brown vinegar will usually fix the problem.

In addition to common kitchen products, many herbs can be used to treat ailments instead of expensive drugs. For example, if you suffer from headaches dizziness or tinnitus, you might try feverfew leaves.

The Tea Tree and Eucalyptus oils are useful for treating a variety of respiratory ailments. These are excellent for the treatment of colds and coughs. They can be massaged into the chest or burned in an oil burner to help clear the airways and prevent congestion. Tea Tree oil is a natural antiseptic and can be dabbed on cuts, bites and stings. It is often used to treat spots and pimples and when diluted with water, acts as a mouth gargle (keep in-mind it should never be swallowed).

The herb black cohosh is a powerful relaxant as well and is extremely effective in easing painful menstrual cramps. Ovarian cramps will be relieved as well as bringing on a delayed menstrual cycle. It is also effective in the treatment of arthritis, osteo-arthritis, rheumatic pain and neurological pan. In small doses, appetite and digestion are greatly improved and is very beneficial for the nervous system in general.

Author Bio
Lee Dobbins enjoys learning and writing about herbs and home remedies. Please visit www.herbs-home-remedies.com for more on alternative healing.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com – Free Website Content

no comment

15

Nov

Paying For Alternative Treatments

admin  in Uncategorized
By: Lee Dobbins

Even though alternative health treatments are becoming increasingly popular, there are very few health plans that will pay for alternative treatment. Many people who have come to rely on these treatments will pay for them out of pocket, but if you are seeking alternative treatments, it might pay for you to check with your insurance company before footing the bill yourself.

The price for treatments varies depending on the type and amount of treatments as well as the severity of your problem. Generally, this type of treatment is not overly expensive compared to modern medical treatments but there are a few very important questions that need to be answered before you venture into the world of alternative medical treatments.

How can alternative treatments be paid for?

Most people pay for their treatments out of their own pocket. These treatments are not overly expensive. It can become more expensive the more frequently that you use these treatments. Ask the practitioner what type of payments he or she accepts, if you can get a line of credit or some sort of discount for frequent use if it is the type of treatment that is ongoing like chiropractic. Also, try to find out what types of insurance coverage might pay for these treatments from their experience with past customers.

How Can I Find Out If My Insurance Covers This?

Finding out if your insurance covers these alternative treatments is a good idea and eas easy as a phone call your insurance company. When you talk to them, ask specific questions related to the treatments you want to use and how they can be covered.

If your insurance does cover these types of treatments, there is a good chance that there is a limit on the sessions that will be covered. Ask about this as well as any other stipulations to coverage they might have.

You might find that you are only covered if it is medically necessary by their terms or there may be special requirements for you to be covered. Find out the specifics and see if you can work with your practitioner to get yourself covered.

Questions To Ask Your Practitioner

You will want to ask your practitioner if they even accept your health insurance, and if not what forms of payment they accept. Also find out if there will be any additional cost (or discount) depending on the method with which you pay. Find out if you can get a free or reduced “trial period” treatment. This way you do not have to spend any money trying to find out if these forms of treatment are right for you. You will find that there are many practitioners out there who will be more than happy to give you a small trial treatment. They want you to be happy with your treatment.

With the popularity of alternative treatments on the rise and more and more medical establishments accepting them, it is only a matter of time before your insurance covers most of what you need. For now, however, don’t forgo treatments that could make your life more pleasant without having to resort to harmful drugs or surgery – you may find it is well worth the money spent!

Author Bio
Lee Dobbins enjoys learning and writing about herbs, home remedies and alternative treatments. Please visit www.herbs-home-remedies.com for more on alternative healing.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com – Free Website Content

no comment

15

Nov

The Roots Of Alternative Medicine

admin  in Uncategorized
By: Lee Dobbins

Alternative medicine and modern medicine have may differences and whose to say which is best? Today, we expect doctors and medicines to fix whatever ails us instantly and doctors only look at the current physical problem when diagnosing our needs.

Alternative or holistic medicine, on the other hand, takes many different factors into consideration before prescribing a cure. This type of healing has been in use for thousands of years and can be very effective. It concerns itself not only with the physical problem, but with the problems of the “whole” self.

Alternative medicine includes massage, therapy, herbal tea, herbal medicine and millions of people today still use these types of treatments instead of or in addition to modern medicine.

Different cultures have had their own specific types of alternative medicine and many different types of treatments. Many of these treatments have survived and are still effective today. In fact, massage, which many people swear by in the modern world is actually one of the oldest forms of alternative medicine and records of massage therapy date back to ancient Egypt.

In ancient Europe there were two types of healers, the professional physicians and the folk healers. The folk healers lived in the lower class and healed the people of each village who could not afford the expensive physicians. These people believed in the folk treatment and it worked for them. This type of situation also occurred in many other cultures.

In Western culture, philosophy was frequently used to assist the folk healers in their quest for a holistic treatment. Philosophy was important because it told the stories of their lives. With a twist of philosophy and religion as well as belief, they easily found the best treatment available for whatever it was that was ailing the villagers of this time.

We now have a more advanced or instantaneous form of medical treatment, but alternative medicine can still be very effective. Massage, aromatherapy, acupuncture, herbal, humor therapy, meditation, and many other forms of holistic healing are used every day. In fact some of these treatments have become so popular that they are no longer considered alternative medicine and they are now supported by modern physicians.

Although the theory of alternative medicine has been ridiculed throughout the centuries , it has survived for one reason – It works. Alternative treatments may not work as fast as the treatments that we have today, but these natural types of treatments can be better for you overall, if you just give them a chance.

Author Bio
Lee Dobbins enjoys learning and writing about herbs, home remedies and alternative treatments. Please visit www.herbs-home-remedies.com for more on alternative healing.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com – Free Website Content

no comment

15

Nov

How Magnetic Therapy Can Help You

admin  in Uncategorized
By: Juliette Pickup

Magnetic therapy has been in use for many thousands of years and it is still just as effective as it was when it was in use by ancient civilizations, such as the Ancient Greeks and Romans. This form of therapy has become more popular in recent years due to people’s movement towards alternative medicine. This type of therapy is possibly more effective than it was previously since there have been many developments in the field since it was originally discovered.

One of the premium applications of magnetic therapy is magnetic jewelry that performs magnetic therapy while you are wearing it. This form of magnetic therapy can help you in various ways. Each different type of magnetic jewelry will provide you with different benefits, but certain beneficial attributes are common to them all. The potency of the beneficial effects corresponds to the length of time that the magnetic jewelry is worn. Therefore the longer you wear the jewelry, the more beneficial effects you will receive.

The magnetic therapy as provided by the magnetic jewelry will act as a pain relief for two reasons. Firstly, the magnets can help to stimulate the release of endorphins which are the natural pain killers of the body, which also help to stimulate the bodies healing process. The other means by which magnetic therapy can help with pain relief is that it can help to increase the rate of circulation, which can in turn help to flush away the toxins that may be a major cause of pain.

The magnetic therapy can also increase the level of oxygen in the blood stream that gets distributed within the body. This can help to increase your energy levels since the oxygen will be distributed to muscles and tissues. The increased level of oxygen can also help to increase your mental clarity and awareness. You are encouraged to wear your magnetic jewelry while you are sleeping so that you can increase the likelihood of having a long, deep sleep and waking up refreshed in the morning.

Magnetic necklaces can help to relieve pain caused by migraines and headaches, neck, back and shoulder pain as well as potentially relieving the pain caused by muscle spasms and lock jaw. Magnetic bracelets can help to relieve pain associated with, tennis elbow and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, shoulder pain, tennis elbow, tendonitis and bursitis, as well as helping to relieve the pains caused by arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Magnetic anklets can be of help when it comes to lowering the levels of pain associated with lower back and knee pain, spurs and inflammation in the legs and feet as well as helping to alleviate numbness of the legs. This is addition to the increase of mobility that the areas around the pieces of jewelry will experience. Not only do these pieces of magnetic jewelry give you amazing health benefits, they also look stylishly elegant and the ranges of styles that are available are sufficient to cater for anyone’s requirements.

Author Bio
All magnetic jewelry information has been researched and written by Juliette Pickup www.healthjewelryplus.com

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com – Free Website Content

no comment
Next Page »