Stress Causes Of Shingles

Shingles (herpes zoster) can only occur in people that have previously had Chickenpox. Chickenpox is never completed eradicated from the body and lies dormant. It can be reactivated at any time by a number of causes, one of which could be excessive stress. The result is normally a localised rash which could be painful or itchy. Other things that may cause shingles are being run down, old age or weakened immune systems.

Stress can cause shingles because chronic stress will affect the immune system. Normally, during a stressful event the body will change the way the immune system will work. This is done by passing adrenaline and cortisol through the bloodstream. In terms of the immune system this will increase the consistency of the blood to make it thicker or sticky. This is in case of injuries that require clotting to seal the injury. This will increase the amount of plasma in the blood. Should the body become injured it will have to fight off potential bacteria and disease. The immune system responds by producing more white blood cells which fight against foreign bodies that may harm the body.

Stress

This is fine for sudden stress but if the stress is prolonged and becomes chronic then the immune system is constantly on high alert. This will mean the blood will be thicker than normal which can have further health complications. There will be too many white blood cells in the bloodstream than is needed. An over stimulated immune system has two consequences for the body. It works too well and starts to attack parts of the body or bacteria that live in the body that work in synergy with the body to attack disease. Or, it becomes so conditioned to working at a heightened level that it does not respond to mild diseases or ailments that enter the body. This is why people that are under stress often complain about catching colds easily. This generally leads to a feeling of being run-down and tired.

In the case of shingles, it is believed that the immune system is weakened and the body is run-down. This contributes to the reactivating of the chicken pox virus, as the body cannot suppress the virus. This leads to rashes occurring on the body that can be painful or itchy. The rashes can last for days weeks or months. In some cases they can last for years. For temporary relief you can apply a soothing agent like aloe vera, for example. If the rash persists it is advisable to consult your doctor.

Stress Causes Of Shingles

Stress can cause outbreaks of shingles and many other illnesses. To find out how stress affects health and how to develop a stress management program visit http://stressmanagementreview.com Adrian Whittle writes on many stress related issues including common symptoms of stress and ways to relieve stress.

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How to Avoid Common Stress Triggers

Common Stress Triggers:

Money. Whether it's the rising cost of gas, monthly bills, unexpected expenses or trying to save for the future, money is the number 1 stress trigger common to all of us.

Stress

One big monetary stress factor we deal with daily is hearing about the cost of gas. So how can you eliminate this concern from your life?

First, figure out just how much more money you will have to spend on a weekly basis if gas does actually go up 50 cents/gallon. It probably isn't quite as much as you think. But even if it is a big factor in your weekly budget, then find a less necessary expense to eliminate and offset your rising expense associated with gas prices. If this isn't possible, figure out a way to reduce your gas expenses - get a more fuel efficient car, find alternate transportation, or simply join a carpool.

Just about every money related stress trigger in your life can be eliminated, or at least reduced, by following this same formula:

1. Quantify the expense
2. Offset the expense
3. Reduce the expense - this may require some research & time

The problem with money related stress for most people is that they allow it to become bigger than it actually is by not facing it head on. Don't ignore the problem, find a solution.

Time. The second biggest stress trigger in our lives is caused by trying to fit more and more into a 24 hour day. There never seems to be enough time to get everything accomplished and every day there's another thing we add to our "To-do List".

For some of us this overwhelming sense of responsibility leads to procrastinating deadline driven tasks until the last minute in order to complete other tasks in the meantime, which just compounds our frustration and stress.

How to avoid time related stress triggers: Prioritize. If you don't already have your priorities in life identified you should. Then it's just a matter of discipline to carry out all the activities in your life accordingly. When you don't adhere to your priorities, you create internal stress from your conflicting actions and beliefs.

Inanimate Objects. Stress is all around us and we're usually not even aware that we're experiencing it. In fact, sometimes the seemingly simple act of thinking about, or even looking at, something causes you stress. If you are having car problems, or trouble making car or house payments, every time you gaze upon your "stress trigger" you are probably increasing your cortisol levels and causing your body undetectable damage, including fat retention.

How to avoid stress caused by objects in your life: Change how you think about it. Be aware of your thoughts when they happen and consciously tell yourself that A) There's nothing you can do about it, and fretting over it will not make anything better, or B) Come up with a solution to the problem and in doing so eliminate the stress related to it.

This same approach can also extend to problems in relationships, or concerns about your personal health or well-being, or that of family and friends.

  • Become aware of the stress trigger
  • Figure out whether you can control it or not
  • Eliminate it (if possible) or Change the way you think about it
  • Implement a solution (if appropriate)

We end up maintaining very high levels of stress because we attach stress to certain thoughts. Many times this can have a cyclical affect. For instance your life is stressful so your high levels of resulting cortisol in your body cause you to gain, or retain, fat; you become upset about the weight gain which triggers stress induced cortisol production, causing you to gain more fat. You then cause yourself more stress by worrying about accommodating exercise and eating properly within the normal time-related pressures of your already busy life. Soon you become frustrated that you're putting all this pressure on yourself and still seeing no visible results from all of your hard work, triggering even more stress!

If you want to lose weight, be healthier, or just be less stressed, apply these principals in your daily life. You can control your stress levels. Don't wait for life to become less stressful because it won't happen on its own.

How to Avoid Common Stress Triggers

I am a certified personal trainer who trains and advises a broad spectrum of people who want to live healthier and happier lives. I offer personalized on-site training, virtual exercise program design, and complete lifestyle & health advice. Learn more about how I can help you achieve your fitness goals by visiting my website, http://www.BestAtlantaFitness.com.

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Physical Symptoms Of Severe Stress

It is believed that stress comes in two forms. Acute or sudden stress, that by definition, is brief and has an endpoint. The body's response to this is to change the biochemistry in the blood to give the body a sudden boost of energy. This energy gives the body more strength, heightened senses and an awareness that imminent action is likely. In situations like this, if action isn't taken to rectify the stressful event, the body might use this energy on itself. So it is not uncommon for people experiencing sudden stress to clench their fists, clench their jaw or grind their teeth. In some cases they may get headaches, blood will pump faster through the body and veins may bulge. Other symptoms might be cramps or bloating of the stomach. On the whole, however, sudden stress is an inevitable consequence of living and the body's response is appropriate and necessary.

Stress becomes a problem when it is severe stress. Commonly described a chronic stress, it is stress that is prolonged and unrelieved. It is often a consequence of the person not dealing with small stressors that overtime become bigger or combine with other stressors to snowball into something that is uncontrollable.

\"stress Management\"

Severe stress might be overworking - spending long hours at the office doing something that has an unrealistic deadline. This could cause the person to develop an unhealthy lifestyle, where they eat fast food and rarely exercise. This, in itself, would cause symptoms of ill-health if it continued for any length of time, but it would not be stress related unless the person involved was reacting to it in a stressful manner.

By this, I mean, the body's response to the situation would be to trigger the release of hormones like adrenaline, cortisol and oxytocin into the bloodstream for a prolonged length of time. These hormones are agreed to be the bodies common response to something that is perceived as stressful. They are what gives the body it's boost of energy. This response has been dubbed the 'fight or flight' and more recently the 'tend and befriend' response.

Simply put, these hormones put the body on high alert. You could use the analogy of a fire alarm going off. This works to wake people up and escape from a burning house but can you imagine if this fire alarm went off for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It would soon become intolerable to live in the house.

The hormones cause a number of changes in the body. They increase the blood pressure. This is bad for the health of the heart over a long time. The increase in adrenaline and cortisol is also thought to increase the chances of heart disease. The blood becomes thicker, in preparation for an injury, and this can lead to blood clots that lead to strokes. Blood is diverted from the stomach and this can lead to cramps, diarrhoea, constipation or bloating.

The stress hormones overstimulate the immune system which over time starts to work against the body or is unresponsive to real threats to the body. This means people suffering from severe stress catch colds, flu's and possibly worse far easier than people who are not as stressed.

Severe stress gradually becomes debilitating because it works on all of the body's systems. All types of complaints could be a consequence of stress ultimately. The key is to be responsive to the changes in your body and determine if this could be stress related. Then take action to defuse this stress or find an outlet for the pent up energy.

Physical Symptoms Of Severe Stress

If you would like more detailed symptoms of stress or find out how to relieve stress using relaxation techniques then visit http://www.stressmanagementreview.com Adrian Whittle writes on issues related to stress including work related stress and dealing with stress in college.

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Early Pregnancy Back Pain

Normal and short-term phenomenon

Early pregnancy back pain is a normal phenomenon in this most beautiful period of a woman's life. Most of the expectant mothers witness some degree of back pain during the early phase of pregnancy and this pain generally subsides after about 20 weeks. Backache or spasm, which is reflected by stretching of muscles or burning pain in the left or the right side of the quadrant, is normally the result of the softening of the supporting ligaments and disks due to an increase in the progesterone hormone during the early stage. In some cases, urinary infection during pregnancy can also result in pain in the back amongst pregnant women. The extra weight of a pregnant women's body and the change in her centre of gravity also result in backaches and pain.

Strain

Remedies For Pregnancy Back Pain

The most important and safe remedy for the treatment of early pregnancy back pain is exercising. This is mainly because certain medications for back related pain is contraindicated during early pregnancy. Walking, pelvic rocking, bridging (done by lying down on the floor, bending your knees and lifting your buttocks into air), mini-crunches (done by lying down on the floor), bending your knees and lifting your head on exhalation, are good exercises for relief from pack pain during early pregnancy. Pregnant women do these exercises on their own to relieve back pain.

The right body posture and good body mechanics also play an important role in keeping one free of early pregnancy back pain. The right posture for prevention of back pain is standing straight and tall. However, the importance for correct postures is as essential in early pregnancy as before that. However, in late pregnancy, as the uterus becomes big, one tends to pull back her shoulders to offset the additional weight, which results in a back strain. You can reduce this pain during later stages in such a position by frequently changing your sitting position and avoiding standing for long periods.

Adequate rest and sleep are also essential for avoiding or eliminating early pregnancy back pain. You should take proper rest and avoid strenuous activities to avoid it during your pregnancy. You can also do normal yoga exercises to eliminate minor pain. However, if it persists you should consult your doctor and take proper medication for relief from back pain. In some cases of pain in the back, doctors may prescribe physiotherapy for relief. Massages and use of special mattresses are also effective for back pain relief during pregnancy.

Early Pregnancy Back Pain

Signs of pregnancy are signal of joy for a couple. Back pain during pregnancy is a most common pregnancy symptom.For more on early symptoms of pregnancy and other pregnancy problems information, visit, Pregnancy Back Pain

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What Are the Causes of Pain in Lower Right Back?

Back pain is a complaint doctors hear about frequently. People want information on backaches. They want doctors to treat pain in the back. Many want to know the causes of pain in the lower right back.

Information about the Lower Right Back

Strain

It is important to understand the structure of the lower right back if we are to understand what causes pain there.

Your back, with its spinal column of vertebrae, connecting ligaments, tendons, large muscles, and nerves, is designed to be incredibly strong and flexible. Yet things can go wrong with this awesome structure.

* Muscles can be strained

* Ligaments can be torn

* Joints can be injured

* Bones can be fractured

* Nerves can be irritated

* Discs can be herniated

* Stress can tighten back structure

The lower back seems especially susceptible to injury, since it bears the weight of the torso, and makes more movement than the upper back. Its constant work can cause parts to break down and wear out over the years.

The lower right back has soft tissues that can be involved in pain. Those large, complex muscle groups that support your spine and help you move can be strained by improper lifting or posture. In fact, muscle strain is the most common cause of lower back pain. Twisting or pulling one of the following muscles can produce pain in the lower right back.

* Extensor muscles: These paired muscles in the lower back and gluteus help support your spine. If the one on the lower right back is injured, it will be painful.

* Flexor muscles: Attached to the spine's front, these muscles help you flex, bend forward, and lift things. Again, injury to the right flexor muscle can cause lower right back pain.

* Oblique muscles: This muscle group is attached to the sides of the spine. The oblique muscles help your spine rotate, and give you good posture.

In addition to simple muscle strain, injury to ligaments, joints, and bones can also cause muscle pain. If one of these structures is injured or inflamed, back muscles can go into spasm, drastically limiting your movement and cause pain in the lower right back.

Stress is a common cause of pain in the lower right back. Stress will make your back muscles tighten. This happens to every muscle in the body, as we move into a "fight or flight" response. Muscles that are tightened lack the energy they need to support the spine. If the stress is frequent, and measures are not taken immediately to relieve it, lower right back pain can easily develop.

Information on Chronic Lower Right Back Pain

If lower right back pain lasts more than two weeks, you are likely to stop using the aching muscles in order to protect yourself from that pain. With disuse, the muscles can waste (atrophy) and weaken. This will increase the pain, since your muscles are less able to support your spine. If you increase your protection, and continue to avoid using the muscles, the cycle will continue, with the pain worsening at each turn. Chronic lower right back pain will result. This is why doctors urge patients with lower right back pain to exercise daily.

Information about Lower Right Back Pain Symptoms

You need to understand the symptoms of your pain as well. It is difficult to treat pain without knowing clearly what and where the symptoms are. You will want to gain a sense of exactly where your lower right back hurts. Is the pain focused in one small area, or does it spread throughout the lower right back? Is it confined to the lower right back or does it radiate into other parts of the body? Here are two major kinds of pain in the lower right back.

Lower Right Back Pain Symptom #1

Is yours a deep, aching, dull, or burning pain? Does it travel down your leg? If so, your lower right back pain may be chronic back pain.

Lower Right Back Pain Symptom #2

Perhaps yours is a very sharp pain, deep in the lower right back. This symptom may be the result of a back injury.

Information on Relieving Lower Right Back Pain

My personal physician assures me that the best relief for lower right back pain is usually exercise. Gentle exercises, performed daily with warm-up and cool-down, will strengthen the core muscles around the lower back area, relieving the pain and making them less susceptible to future injury.

CAUTION: Pain in the lower right back may also be caused by kidney stones or other non-muscular problems. Be sure to ask your health care provider for advice on any back pain.

What Are the Causes of Pain in Lower Right Back?

©2007, Anna Hart. Anna herself is a back pain sufferer, and can sympathize with your problem. She invites you to read more of her articles about back pain at: http://www.backpainreliefblog.com Anna has posted additional information on that site about the lower back, and articles that tell how to exercise away your lower right back pain.

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Hernia - Causing Strain on Bowel or Kidneys

Hernia occurs when the abdominal wall structure ruptures or an opening takes place there. As a consequence thereof, the wall of the abdomen is destroyed and there is an outcropping via that membrane which is rather thin. The outcropped parts are mainly sections of the fatty tissue that make up the abdomen or certain parts of the intestine (small and large). Mention may be made of Hiatal hernia which happens when the tummy comes out through the diaphragm and rises till the chest. However, hernia can happen anywhere in the human body.

Hernias can lead to pain in the chest besides heartburn. Moreover, hernias can stop blood flow to that affected part, and during such abnormal situations surgeries are the only ways out.

Strain

Hernia can be of the following types: Indirect, Direct, Inguinal, Obturator, Spigelian, Umbilical, Incisional and Femoral. Hernia can be caused by many factors. The main ones are obesity, coughing, weight lifting exercises, lung ailments, exertion of pressure on the abdomen during pregnancy and the presence of hernia in the umbilical cord which may then pass on to the baby.

Hernia can occur if anyone keeps on putting too much of strain on the bowel or the kidneys during bowel movement or urination during Straining during a bowel movement or urination. Moreover, hernia may take place if there is too much of fluid in the cavity that makes up the abdomen.

Different types of hernia have different sets of symptoms. The commonly reported symptoms of hernia are belching, heartburn - especially when one lies down or while bending -- chest pain, groin pain during bending, groin soreness, appearance of lump which may be painless, esophagus blockage, swallowing problems, and/or protrusion(s) that may be just tender or swollen for that matter.

If hernia is diagnosed, strictly follow your physician's schedule. Some of the commonly prescribed methods to check hernia is to say 'NO' to depression, cut down on the regularly taken diet, avoid non-digestible food items, quit smoking or/and alcoholic substances, never to lie down or even bend after meals, and avoid tight-fitting clothes. Moreover, ensure that you do not exert pressure on the abdomen while coughing and stop lifting heavy articles.

The best way to control hernia is to consume fibery items like grains (including millet and barley), vegetables (sweet potatoes, cabbage, artichoke, and dandelion), herbs (aloe vera, arrowroot, parsley, mint, asafetida, cumin, fennel, among others) and lots of fruits. To prevent constipation and thus obviate the possibility of putting undue pressure on the intra-abdominal area is to increase the amount of liquids especially water. Take to regular exercise. Sweating can also help excrete toxic items from the body. Go for six meals in lesser amounts instead of three large meals. But, remember to not consume such items you may be allergic to. Moreover laugh away your blues by enrolling yourself in the local laughter club.

One of the popular remedies for hernia is to consume Cayenne pepper, sweating out a lot by either exercising, brisk walking, or by drinking tea (warm) in a room that is hot. One can also get relief from hernia by placing a rupturewort tea-soaked cloth on the portion that is affected.

Hernia - Causing Strain on Bowel or Kidneys

Nilutpal Gogoi is a writer and a freelance journalist having more than 18 years of service in several audio-visual and print media reputed organizations in North East India. He has published one popular adventure book for children and has published more than 1000 articles for various sites, as such [http://www.livingsciencesite.com/]

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How A C.Diff Infection Is Caused

A C.diff Infection occurs when the c.diff micro-organism grows out of control in the gastronintestinal tract (GI).

Ordinarily this kind of micro-organism is harmless and actually helps in the digestion of food and nutrients. As such, we all have micro-organisms have them in our bodies and c.diff can be present in around 3% of healthy adults.

Strain

But, a C.Diff Infection occurs when the c.diff micro-organism begins to grow out of control resulting in severe infectious diarrhea and inflammation of the large intestine. This can happen to hospitalised people and the presence of c.diff in hospitalised adults is ten times higher (up to 30%) than in ordinarily healthy adults.

A C.Diff Infection is by far the most common cause of diarrhea found in hospital patients.

Why Patients Hospital Patients Are Especially Susceptible

Basically, a C.Diff Infection occurs when a bodies preventative bacteria is not strong enough to stop the c.diff from outgrowing the GI tract. This happens for a number of reasons:

o A long stay in hospital. The potential for c.diff spreading in a clinical environment is very high and combined with the stress a patient will be under and the illness weakened body a hospital patient is a prime candidate for C.Diff Infection.

o Age. C.diff is an infectious disease and as in all diseases of this type the elderly are much more susceptible because their immune systems are weak, especially when hospitalised.

o Illness. Any serious or constant illness will weaken the bodies immune system and increase the risk of a hospital patient being infected.

o Antibiotics. A very real risk to a patient in a hospital environment can be posed by antibiotics. Because antibiotics can kill the bacteria which controls the growth of c.diff a patient becomes susceptible to a C.Diff Infection.

Unfortunately, a C.Diff Infection can spread very quickly and it is not easily killed by cleaning agents that most hospitals will use. C.diff forms spores which infected people can transfer by contact with each other and surfaces and those spores can live for up to five months.

It is because of the high degree of infection that c.diff poses such a threat to hospitals and the patients in their care.

The unfortunate truth about a C.diff Infection is that it is very hard to treat and treatment can last for several months. The evolvement of a new and more viral strain of c.diff which is resistant to treatment can be fatal and it is this strain of the disease which is proving so difficult for our hospitals to control.

Some antibiotics can be used in the treatment of the disease including Flagyl. Flagyl is the most common treatment and is usually taken in tablet form and is a Metronidazole is used to treat bacterial or protozoal infections.

Vancomycin is a stronger drug than Flagyl and is used to try and combat the more serious strains of C.Diff. Taken orally Vancomycin is a parenteral glycopeptide antibiotic and is a drug which has recently been improved during the manufacturing process to increase its purity and effectiveness against the stronger strains of c.diff.

Surprisingly simply washing hands is the best way to prevent the spread of a C.diff Infection although the usual alcohol based hand cleansers are not effective in preventing the spread of c.diff.

How A C.Diff Infection Is Caused

Craig Ellyard writes extensively about hospital acquired diseases. For more information on C.Diff Infection and how to claim compensation and to find a compensation solicitor visit his website

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Funny Life Quotes to Slap the Stress Away

Life is full of pressures and stress and everyone has a bunch of worries. There is no one who is stress free. Even a five year old kid has his own problems. Stress affects everybody whether one is rich or poor, literate or illiterate, men or women.

Some people are stressed because they don't have enough time; some are stressed because they have too much spare time. Some people are stressed because they hate the people they work with and don't like their job and there are some others who are stressed because they are unemployed. From kid to young to elder everyone is stressed.

\"stress Management\"

In such a time, where stress is leading to depression and unprecedented health problems, Funny Life Quotes can help you tickle your funny bone. One of the best way to reduce stress is to laugh a lot and this is what funny life quotes do. They give you belly laugh and keep your laughter motor going on smoothly.

Everyone must keep a sense of the humorous part of life. If you really want to enjoy life, then you must look at the humorous part of the life. It will also help you to tackle any problem of life with a smile on face. Funny Life quotes remind you of the Fun and Humor Side of your Life. Reading them will certainly help you kick-out all the stress of your life.

Have you ever been in a situation in social gathering where you don't have words to describe your point of view or you don't have something funny to say when everyone is cracking jokes and having fun? There is no worse situation than this that causes stress.

You can get over to this situation by learning some funny Sayings and Funny Life Quotes. There are thousand of funny sayings and funny Life Quotes websites available on internet. Try to learn at least twenty funny quotes a day and at the end of the month you would be able to learn six hundred funny quotes.

Now, next time whenever you are in social gathering, just throw in some funny life quotes and funny sayings. Let everyone know that how humorous and funny person you are and be famous for your words.

With the advent of Internet technology, now finding information on everything is as easy as counting 1 2 3. We need not to go outside somewhere to find out information as our

Ancestors do. There are literally thousand of websites on the internet with hundred of funny life quotes to read. With so much of quotes, you can easily find out the funny quote as per your need and situation.

Using Proper Funny Life quotes on proper situation can help you set apart from Boring peoples and helps you being a funny person which everyone loves to be.

Funny Life Quotes to Slap the Stress Away

What's Next? Check out our website to read the best ever collection of Funny Life Quotes and
Funny Sayings.

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Lower Back Injuries - Treatment Tips For the Back

Lower back injuries affect over 31 million people annually and are the 5th leading cause of physician office visit in the United States. These injuries are often debilitating and lead to loss of spine function, mobility and a decreased ability to perform daily tasks, work and even play. Lower back pain and injury are some of the more common and disabling ailments known to humans. Although this information seems intimidating, there are solutions and prevention strategies that can decrease the incidence of injury and also aid in treating the symptoms of lower back strain.

COMMON LOWER BACK INJURY CAUSES:

Strain

Some of the more common reasons that increase the incidence of low back strain are acute injury, overuse injury, poor flexibility and weakness to the spinal column musculature. Acute injury generally happens when the spine is overloaded and unprepared for a movement, resulting in abnormal stretching or tearing of the muscle or groups of muscles. Overuse injury is often the result of faulty posture and underdeveloped musculature that supports the spine and results in chronic strain to the lower back. 

Poor flexibility leads to decreased range of motion of the spine, while weak muscles contribute to poor function, posture and decreased performance with activities involving the lower back. The main culprits of lower back pain are tight hamstrings, tight hip flexors, weak abdominal and spine extensors, plus poor endurance in core stabilizers.

These faulty mechanical features leave the spine more susceptible to injury or overload, and therefore an increased incidence of lower back problems.

The good news is many of these common ailments are preventable when it comes to dealing with lower back strain. The tips below are things you should be aware of and use in daily life, work, play, and sport to lessen your incidence of developing an aching back.  

PREVENTING LOWER BACK STRAIN STRATEGIES:

To minimize the incidence of developing low back injury, keep the following things in mind during day to day activities:

  1. Avoid Stress- the lower spine is subjected to stress when standing, sitting, lying, working or exercising. Avoid standing or sitting for long periods, change positions frequently and be sure to keep good posture.
  2. Correct Lifting Techniques- Bend at your knees to pick up objects, and carry and/or hold objects close to your body at waist level. Use proper form and technique when exercising or playing your sport, and in general just be more mindful of your posture and spine motions when you work and play
  3. Correct Abnormalities- trunk flexibility and range of motion are critical to proper spine function. Strength and flexibility should be developed in the spine extensors to aid in injury prevention, as well as abdominal/core strength to ensure proper postural alignment.
  4. Core Stabilization- increased core stability and strength improve posture and help individuals maintain proper spine and pelvic position. Proper mechanical position will decrease the effects of repetitive motion and protect the structures in the back from damage.

Although lower back pain is preventable, it is sometimes unavoidable, especially in the case of acute injury. There are effective treatment options available and individuals should be prompt in managing their lower back strain to help relieve pain, reduce incidence of muscle spasm and decrease inflammation associated with injury.

LOWER BACK INJURY MANAGEMENT:

First and foremost, proper diagnosis is critical for proper treatment of any injury. Be sure to seek medical attention in the case of any acute trauma to the spine, or chronic injury that continues to be a nuisance to your daily activities. If lower back strain has been diagnosed then use the following tips to assist in treatment

  1. Rest the injury and avoid activity that places stress on the lower back
  2. During acute phase use ICE packs and or ice massage to reduce inflammation and help with muscle spasm
  3. Use and elastic wrap or compression wrap around abdominal region to help support lumbar area of spine
  4. Introduce a gradual program of stretching (focus on hip flexors / extensors) and strengthening (focus on extensors, stabilizers of spine) should be introduced
  5. Ice therapy / ice massage after exercise, as well as abdominal brace / compression wrap to assist with low back stabilization

Using injury management tools like a  "lower back" ice wrap will be of great benefit to the strained individual. This wrap provides ice, compression and lumbar support, all of which are necessary to maximize treatment and rehabilitate injured spine tissues.

As with any injury, proper diagnosis and treatment are critical to getting back to normal activities of work and play. Without proper care of your injury, healing time can take longer and be more debilitating and there is the possibility of recurrence or re-injury. By utilizing effective prevention strategies such as core stabilization exercises and targeted stretches, and using treatment tools such as a lower back ice wrap, individuals can not only treat their injury, but be back- no pun intended- in the game in no time.

Lower Back Injuries - Treatment Tips For the Back

--
Amy is the NW Regional Trainer for Resist-A-Ball, Inc. and Faculty Trainer for the American Council on Exercise. Her Bachelor of Science was attained in Holistic Nutrition and is certified as a personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and yoga instructor. She also offers workshops, lectures and trainings for fitness professionals through her company FIT Launch, http://www.fitlaunch.com as well as providing personal training services locally.

Injury prevention is essential for any professional or recreational athlete, but when an injury to the low back or any other area occurs, prompt and appropriate treatment is essential.

I recommend the "low back ice wrap" from Ultimate Ice Wraps. You'll find them at http://ultimateicewraps.com

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