Archive for July, 2009

The Hidden Cause of Neck Pain and Lower Back Pain

July 31st, 2009
by Stephen Akamine

The Complex Causes of Neck Pain and Lower Back Pain. The 2 most common forms of pain in the human anatomy are Neck Pain and Lower Back Pain, although the cause of either can be complex at times due to so many different causes. There is however, a root cause or secondary cause of Neck Pain or Lower Back Pain that is frequently overlooked, very difficult to diagnose, and oftentimes labeled as a secret or hidden cause. Neck Pain or Lower Back Pains hidden cause or secret source is known as Facet Joint Pain or Facet Syndrome. Facet Syndrome, or simply Facet Joint Pain is directly related to pain in the facet joints, and is a chronic pain syndrome, which is a collection of Chronic Neck Pain symptoms or Chronic Lower Back Pain Symptoms.

What is Articulation of a Facet Joint? Facet Joints are posterior Spinal Joints that connect an adjacent upper and lower vertebrae together. The medical name Zygapophyseal Joint for a Facet Joint is complex in itself and difficult to pronounce. The Facet Joint moves in a manner that is medically known as Articulation within defined ranges of motion. Facet Joint articulation includes bending forward, which is known as flexion, bending backward, which is known as extension, and twisting to either the left or to the right, which for the Neck is known as Cervical rotation, and for the Lower Back, which is known as Thoracolumbar rotation. Flexion stretches and unloads the Facet Joint, while extension compresses or loads the Facet Joint. Facet Joints also limit range of motion in the spine, which helps to prevent excessive range of motion that can cause damage to spinal discs.

What is a Synovial Joint? Facet joints are Synovial Joints- the most common joint in the human body. A Synovial Joint is characterized by having a joint capsule, joint capsule fluid-synovial fluid to lubricate the inside of the joint, and cartilage on the outside of the joint between the upper and lower adjacent surfaces of each vertebra to allow a smooth gliding movement.

What could cause Facet Arthritis or Facet Arthropathy? Facet Arthropathy or Facet Arthropathy is a Chronic Pain condition that can be caused by wear and tear, degeneration of the cartilage surfaces, joint capsule. Facet Arthritis or Facet Arthropathy represents a form of facet joint inflammation and is one of the syndromes of Facet Joint Pain.

How is Joint Movement affected? When the articulation of the Facet Joint is in some way restricted, then Facet Joint Pain is often the result. When the joint becomes stuck or fixated in the open or closed position or in the partially open or partially closed position, then Facet Joint Pain is often the result. Either the muscles surrounding the joint could be the source of the problem, or the dysfunction of the joint itself could be the problem. The muscles surrounding the joint could become hypertonic-extremely tight causing compression and loading and restricted articulation resulting in pain, or the joint could have a problem binding, or becoming stuck open or closed, resulting in Facet Joint Pain, which in turn causes a problem with the muscles surrounding the joint.

What else can cause Facet Joint Pain? Some causes of Facet joint pain are: Abnormal spinal curvature, Hyperlordosis-excessive arch in the lower back, Scoliosis-Lateral Lumbar spinal curvature, Injury or Trauma, Incorrect Neck Posture or incorrect Lower Back Posture or Forward Pelvic Rotation.

What are some common Symptoms of Facet Syndrome for the Lower Back? The initial onset of pain might be related to a rotational spinal injury or a spinal injury involving hyperextension of the spine. Lower back facet joint pain symptoms include increased pain upon side bending or twisting or arching the lower back or torso, lower back pain or tenderness, deep dull aching pain that moves to the buttocks or the back of the thighs, and/or stiffness or difficulty with certain movements, such as standing up straight or getting up out of a chair.

What are the Neck-Cervical Facet Syndrome Symptoms? Facet Join pain neck symptoms include Neck Pain, Headaches, Shoulder Pain, and/or difficulty side bending or rotating the head. Ensure that the Facet Joint Pain Assessment clearly indicates the pain scale for the associated problems. Find out if there is a history of whiplash or any other kind of neck injury.

Is Facet Joint Articulation restricted? Articulation is the single most important question that needs to be answered, and if we conduct a special test known as the spring test which can test for basic joint movement, we can maybe hope to have some kind of answer.

What Exercises will help to relieve my Facet Joint Pain? If excessive lower back curvature " Lumbar Lordosis, and hypertonic hip flexors and hypertonic lower back musculature is causing compression of the lumbar facet joints, stretching and strengthening exercises to reduce joint compression and help prevent joint fixation will be required to reverse the postural distortion that has occurred. If the cervical (neck) spine is affected by excessive forward head posture and hypertonic neck musculature, there are strengthening and stretching exercises for postural correction and hypertonicity reduction as well. As mentioned above, the experienced Clinical Massage Therapist will be able to formulate an effective exercise treatment plan.

About the Author:
Stephen Akamine focuses his efforts on the treatment of Myofascial Pain and is highly regarded as one of the top Licensed Medical Massage Therapists in the State of Hawaii. You can find Facet Joint Pain information and information about soft tissue treatment for pain at his online resource center.

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The Most Common Causes of Diabetes

July 30th, 2009
by Barb Hicks

For years, scientists have studied the pancreas, and still, they have yet to discover a solid reason as to why the pancreas stops producing insulin or produces ineffective insulin. However, science has discovered a mutant gene handed down from our ancestors that may be the cause. Other possible causes for Diabetes include:

Potbelly/Over Weight Stress/Anxiety Infections of the Pancreas, Genetics Inactivity Cholesterol/Triglyceride Elevations

It is interesting to note that the risk factors for heart disease and diabetes are both one in the same.

Insulin is a hormone the pancreas secretes. As the glucose levels in the body rise, the insulin is converted into energy the body uses as fuel. In a diabetic, the pancreas produces either insufficient amounts of insulin or produces insulin that is ineffective in the body. Symptoms of this include polyuria or frequent urination as well as polydipsia or excessive thirst.

How the body reacts to insufficient insulin:

Resistance to insulin is described as the body producing sufficient amounts of insulin but is not using appropriately. Another type of diabetes is where the insulin produced does not allow for glucose levels to be raised and the body can not convert it into much needed energy.

Is it curable?

Presently no, but there are several exciting and experimental procedures being performed that are showing high success rates. These procedures include;

Transplant of Pancreas: This procedure is for anyone with uncontrollable Type 1 DM diabetes, but have a functioning kidney. In patients who underwent this procedure, insulin injections were no longer required to keep them alive and the risk factors with diabetes were greatly decreased.

Kidney/Pancreas Transplant: Reserved for patients who have substantial kidney failure as well as uncontrolled Type 1 diabetes. This surgical procedure allows the patient to be free of dialysis treatments and insulin injections. Patients who avoid rejecting their organs in the first year after surgery have a greater likelihood of non-rejection for 10 years and more.

Islet Transplants: This procedure is currently in clinical trials and involves replacing the bad Islets Of Langerhans with good islets from a deceased donor. Islets of Langerhans are the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas. The islets are extracted from the donor pancreas and injected into the liver of the receiver. The cells start manufacturing insulin which works to regulate blood sugar levels.

In a study of patients who received islet transplants, five out of thirty-six still remain free of the need for insulin two years after the procedure. Although these procedures are experimental and not yet approved by the FDA, they have all shown positive results.

The search for better treatments and a cure for diabetes are on-going, and it is hoped that a cure will present itself in the very near future. But until then, lifestyle changes will help those who are living with diabetes to live a long and productive life in spite of having the disease.

About the Author:
Barb Hicks is a Licensed Registered Nurse who loves to write and share her knowledge about Diabetes Cure with others. She also provides more information about Diabetes Facts on Clivir.com.

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Posted in Women's Health / Gynecology

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Know Some Hassle Free Ways Of Removing Stretch Marks

July 29th, 2009
by Riya K Jones

Do you go out of your way to keep away from wearing swimsuits or any revealing clothing because youre anxious people will see them and silently critic you? Well, hey, youre not alone! 8 out of 10 women undergo from ugly, disfiguring stretch marks, and lots of men do too. If youve been in any of the following situations, then you possibly have some stretch marks.

A good candidate for the tummy tuck procedure is an adult who is not far from his or her ideal body weight, with an abdominal area that has not adequately responded to modification by diet and exercise.

One has to really know in depth about the method of surgery before deciding to under go surgery for the stretch mark elimination. It is better to consult a medical practitioner or a skin specialist to decide upon the surgery. When we talk about the surgical means to remove the stretch marks, there is a grand range of surgery which is suitable for different individuals.

In the tummy tuck method of surgery, the excess skin and fat under the skin would be removed leaving behind a perfect figure for you to wink at. Thus, Tummy tuck surgery has many limitations about the way its going to work.

Tummy tuck surgery does, however, provide the patient with many benefits, including improved appearance and, in many cases, an elevated level of self confidence. While this could work in theory, there are several things a person has to consider about plastic surgery to remove stretch marks before making a commitment to go under the knife.

People often times think that because the operation is cosmetic in nature it is a less serious form of surgery, however this is not the case. All complications associated with major procedures can occur with plastic surgery as well, including infection and probable death from the incorrect use of anesthesia.

These way outs may cost you thousands of dollars. You can Easily Opt For something much more cost effective like the trial of Striation Stretch Marks Cream.

About the Author:
you would like to see more striation stretch marks, and Resveratrol Ultra then check out my blog by Clicking Here Right Now!

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Should You Buy Omega3 As A Fish Oil?

July 28th, 2009
by Terry Johnston

Why should you buy omega3 -- because of the all the health benefits for:

*the heart

*the brain

*the joints

*the skin

*the immune system

*our vision

*aiding digestion

Fish oil has the most potent Omega 3 fatty acids. Natural sources are the most effective means of introducing nutrients t the body. When you buy Omega3, make sure it's naturally sourced.

With so much of the Earth's water ways are contaminated with heavy metal toxins like mercury and PCBs. The fish caught from those waters produce bad fish oil and should not be eaten--heavy metal contaminants concentrate in the flesh of fish over time. Good fish oil is sourced from cleaner waters.

The best fish oil is purified and free from contaminants, is produced with a low oxidation (decomposition) level for freshness. Being naturally sourced means it has natural triglycerides or ethyl ester form which is not produced artificially.

Omega3/DHA is a "Super" anti-inflammatory. Higher levels of DHA mean higher levels of action against the inflammation.

A blend of hoki oil and concentrated ester tuna oil, does something inexplicable, it more than doubles its anti-inflammatory action. This has been dubbed the "X-factor" because of this synergistic action.

"Trinity Bioactives", part of Wellington School of Medicine in New Zealand has studied this phenomena and has established Omega 3 oils that have this specific blend provide "2 times" the anti-inflammation action of standard fish oil and more than double that of refined and concentrated fish oil. So when you choose to buy omega 3 oils--make sure you are getting this formula.

inflammation Reduction is a big reason many choose to buy Omega 3. In the article "The secret killer" in Time Magazine (May 2004). They offer solutions like aspirin, Statins, Beta blockers and ACE inhibitors or you could just buy some Omega 3 fish oil. It is much stronger than aspirin, but is gentle on your stomach.

Now you can buy Omega 3/DHA in higher concentrations of anti-inflammatory then you can get by eating fish. Newer supplements on the market have some of the most highly effective fish oil concentrates, higher than normal fish oil that many people buy.

Omega 3 Fatty acids and in particular DHA have been linked to improved brain function.

One of the most impressive clinical studies found Omega 3 fatty acids or fish oils taken on regular basis reduced the risk Alzheimer's by 60%.

Daily supplements of Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil is recommend by the American Heart Association guidelines, because of proven heart health benefits.

In conclusion, when you buy Omega 3/DHA, and start taking it you will realize many health benefits, based on proven clinical studies. Look for Omega 3 in a concentrated supplement for from natural triglycerides, with high amounts of DHA for the best results.

For more information about he amazing benefits of Omega 3/DHA fish oil, please visit my Web Site

About the Author:
Terry Johnston is head researcher at a number of nutritional informational Web Sites. With an intense interest in anything that will help enhance people's health and beauty. He searches the internet for superior products and services. For more information please visit Terry's Web Site Natural Omega 3 Supplement now!

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