What Is Myofascial Tissue?

Myofascial tissue is a type of thin, strong, fibrous connective tissue that extends throughout your body to provide support and protection to your muscles and bones. Myofascial tissue fibers are made up of collagen and elastin fibers that are arranged in a web-like structure and that are suspended in a fluid called ground substance. With a tensile strength of more than 2000 pounds, it provides a strong support for the muscles, while at the same time allowing for flexibility. You can think of myofascial tissue as being similar to a mesh bag that contains your groceries. It is pliable, and can expand and contract as the contents of the bag change. It envelops your body like a wet suit, from the tips of your toes to the top of your head.

Dr. Janet Travell first used the term myofascial in the 1940s in reference to problems with musculoskeletal pain and what are called trigger points. Travell is the author of Myofascial Pain & Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual, a seminal reference work for practitioners of trigger point therapy. Myofascial release involves the use of a practitioner’s elbows, knuckles or other tools to slowly stretch out the tightened myofascial tissue, thus removing knots and adhesions.

Healthy myofascial tissue is soft and relaxed, however, trauma and inflammation to the tissue can cause it to become tight and more rigid, and knots or adhesions can develop in the tissue that can cause a restriction in motion and lead to the development of “trigger points” that can cause pain anywhere in the body. Chronic neck and back pain, muscle spasms, headaches, difficulty breathing and reduced flexibility may all be due to a problem in the myofascial tissue.

Trauma from whiplash, a fall, the effects of surgery or chronic bad posture are some of the things that can contribute to myofascial pain syndrome. But it’s not just physical stress such as injury and illness that can cause the myofascial tissues to tighten. Emotional stress can have the same effect. This tightening can cause increased pressure on the muscles, nerves and organs that leads to chronic pain.

Many chiropractors are trained in myofascial release therapy, which can relieve pain from many conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, headaches and fibromyalgia. They will stretch and loosen the tightened fascia that are restricting blood flow to the area, which will increase circulation and lymphatic drainage and take the pressure off nerves that have been compressed at trigger points.

What Can I Do to Make My Chiropractic Treatments Even More Effective?

A regular visit to your chiropractor is one of the best things you can do to eliminate chronic neck and back  pain  and to maintain flexibility and range of motion. Your chiropractor will design a treatment plan specific to your particular needs that will include not only chiropractic adjustments, but also suggestions for appropriate exercises and nutritional changes you can make that will enhance the effectiveness of your treatments. There are a few things that everyone can do to make their chiropractic treatments even more effective.

Be specific about your symptoms – In order for your chiropractor to recommend the most effective therapy or combination of therapies for your particular situation, you need to be as specific as possible about your symptoms. Since chiropractic is a holistic form of healing (meaning that all aspects of a person’s health and lifestyle are taken into consideration when developing a treatment plan), it’s important to mention every symptom you have. This is true even if you feel that some of your symptoms may be unrelated or insignificant. Based on what you tell your chiropractor as well as diagnostic tests performed in the office, he or she will be able to decide which types of treatment may be most appropriate for your condition.  Treatment plans may include chiropractic adjustments, joint mobilization, soft tissue techniques, therapeutic exercise and nutritional changes as well as other types of specialized therapies.

Keep moving – One of the main aims of chiropractic care is to maintain flexibility and range of motion. As the old saying goes, “Use it or lose it.” Chiropractic has been shown to be most effective when combined with regular exercise, and the effects of treatment last longer. Muscle strengthening and stretching exercises will provide the necessary support to the spine that will help to keep it from going out of alignment as easily. By following your chiropractor’s exercise suggestions between adjustments, your function will be restored more quickly, and you will gain confidence in your ability to move in ways that would have been too painful before your chiropractic treatment. With your newly enhanced flexibility, try to get out on a walk, hike or bike ride.

Consider massage – Therapeutic massage is often used in conjunction with chiropractic care. It shares with chiropractic the desire to enhance the circulation of blood and fluids and to restore the free flow of nerve impulses. Massage can break up adhesions in the fascia that keep your muscles from moving properly. Massage can also help to release muscle tension and warm up the areas around a spinal subluxation, making your joints more pliable and easier to adjust. However, keep in mind that not all chiropractors agree about the relative benefits massage before an adjustment. Some chiropractors prefer to get an accurate picture of your normal physiological state prior to performing an adjustment, so be sure to check with your own chiropractor before having a pre-adjustment massage.

Incorporating these suggestions into your regular chiropractic treatment regime can help you to make the most of each adjustment and make a significant impact on your quality of life.

Causes and Treatment Options for Upper Crossed Syndrome

Choosing The Right Back Pack For Your Kids To Prevent Back Pain

Your Child’s Health: Having the Right Backpack and Using It Correctly Now May Prevent Big Problems Later

Healthcare researchers and providers alike are growing increasingly concerned that American kids are suffering from back pain earlier in their lives and in larger numbers than ever before. And experts closest to the problem believe that overweight, improperly designed, and misused backpacks may be a big part of the reason why.

Short-Term Injuries and Longer-Term Concerns

With an estimated 40 million school-age children carrying backpacks in America, it’s not surprising that there are some book bag-related injuries every year. Since 2000, the U.S. Product Safety Commission has reported that children and their backpacks make roughly 7,000 trips to the emergency room annually. However, many observers believe that the real toll is actually far higher since the vast majority of such injuries go unreported and many kids are treated by a family doctor or not treated at all.

While it is not clear how many acute injuries actually result from wearing backpacks as opposed to tripping over them or being hit by them, doctors who treat back problems regularly—especially chiropractic physicians—see worrying signs that heavier backpacks are setting the stage for more serious health issues in the future, including chronic back, neck and shoulder pain. Some chiropractors estimate that as many as 75% to 80% of the teenage patients they treat have postural problems directly related to overweight backpacks.

Why the Heavier Bags?

Across the past ten years, several factors have come together to increase the amount of weight young students are carrying in their book bags:

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends that a backpack should not be any heavier than 15% of a child’s body weight. But as early as 2001, researchers at Simmons College in Massachusetts found that 55% of the 345 children they studied were carrying backpacks that exceeded the recommended weight limit, often by a substantial amount. One third of those students said that they had already experienced back pain. Today, the American Chiropractic Association advises parents to limit the weight of a child’s backpack to no more than 5% to 10% of body weight.

Warning Signs

If you see any of the following signs, it may be time to lighten the load, help your child choose a different backpack or talk about how it’s being used.

Choosing the Right Backpack and Using it Correctly

A good quality backpack with proper ergonomic features doesn’t have to be expensive. They’re available at many sporting goods stores and discount outlets. Experts offer the following advice:

Once your child has the right bag, it’s just as important to encourage him or her to use it correctly. Chiropractors and physical therapists generally agree that means wearing it on both shoulders with the straps tightened so that it hangs no more than four inches below the waist.

How Your Fremont Chiropractor Can Help

Using a backpack should not cause any pain or discomfort under normal circumstances. If your child is showing signs of back, neck or should pain, we encourage you to call your chiropractic physician today. In addition to addressing any current problems that your child may be experiencing, your doctor of chiropractic can recommend an exercise program designed to strengthen muscles, and improve posture and coordination. He or she can also offer instruction about good nutrition and sleep habits that will support your child’s healthy development.

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References:

The Effect of Backpacks on the Lumbar Spine in Children: A Standing Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2010 Jan 1;35(1):83-8. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA. Neuschwander, et. al. Accessed August 2011.

Things To Keep in Mind When Searching For Back Pain Relief

Learning From America’s Back Pain Experience

A June 2010 article by Associated Press Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard shines a bright light on the problem of back pain in America. In the article, entitled “Back Pain May Be Widely Over-Treated in the U.S.”, she raises some great questions about how we’re spending our healthcare dollars, what we’re getting for it and why.

“By one recent estimate, Americans are spending a staggering $86 billion a year in care for aching backs—from MRIs to pain pills to nerve blocks to acupuncture. That research found little evidence that the population got better as the bill soared over the past decade.”

Ms. Neergaard’s writing hits close to home, and the situation she describes is probably familiar to anyone who’s tried to find relief from serious back pain in the past few years. But what does it all mean to you if you or someone you care about is a patient looking for relief?

Here’s a quick summary of the more important takeaways from Ms. Neergard’s article as well as some practical points to keep in mind as you consider your options and work with your healthcare provider on a treatment plan:

1. While back pain in general is a widespread problem in the U.S., the specifics always come down to the individual. There is no silver bullet—the treatment that was effective for your neighbor may not be right for you. Your healthcare provider can evaluate your symptoms and advise you on the appropriateness of alternative therapies.

2. Time is usually on your side when it comes to back pain. Up to 90% of patients will heal on their own within a matter of weeks. Unless your healthcare provider sees “red flag” symptoms, patients should generally exhaust their noninvasive options first before considering surgery.

3. “Exercise is medicine, but it has to be the right exercise.” Formal exercise programs that are designed and supervised by experts can be effective provided that the patient is able to manage and function with pain.

4. Your own motivation and attitude can make a big difference in the effectiveness of your treatment. Patients who can work through pain, stay focused on the plan and get back to normal activity as quickly as possible will generally have the advantage when it comes to recovery.

5. Make sure you have access to a neutral third party (perhaps your chiropractor or family doctor) who can help you weigh the advice of various specialists and navigate through your choices. And always get a second opinion if surgery is being considered.

Back pain is a complex phenomenon and it’s often very difficult to treat successfully. At a time when health science regularly produces new miracles and we’ve come to expect instant results, it can be difficult for us to keep this basic truth in perspective. What comes through loud and clear in Ms. Neergaard’s article is that our most advanced diagnostic technologies and sophisticated surgical procedures are not solving the back pain problem for millions of Americans. And that it’s costing us a great deal of money to fail using our most expensive techniques.

This raises two big-picture questions, not just for U.S. health care policy makers and administrators, but for anyone who’s trying to make smart decisions about back pain treatment:

1. Given the pervasiveness of back pain in America, the number of people who are likely suffering without treatment and the kinds of issues Ms. Neergaard writes about, can it really be said that we’re “over-treating” back pain? Wouldn’t it be closer to the truth to say that we’re mistreating it by using too many of the wrong tools in too many of the wrong cases? If so, what does her reporting really suggest about the direction we should be headed?

2. There are many factors contributing to our national back pain epidemic, and many of them have to do with our lifestyle choices and the way we manage our health more broadly. What should we be willing to spend for an ounce of prevention when it comes to back pain?

How Your Fremont Chiropractic Physician Can Help

If you or someone you care about is suffering with back pain, call our Fremont Chiropractor. Chiropractic Physicians from Discover Chiropractic are specially licensed and trained to diagnose and treat conditions related to the musculoskeletal system and the nerves that support it. Our chiropractors can help relieve back pain by using spinal adjustments. This spinal manipulation is the primary form of treatment performed by chiropractic physicians and is a widely recognized back pain therapy. Research has shown that manipulative therapy and spinal manipulation are not only safe and effective, but can also produce results more quickly and less expensively than other alternatives.

Many chiropractors are also skilled in designing and supervising exercise and nutrition programs. They’re committed to helping patients achieve a healthier lifestyle that prevents illness and promotes performance.

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References

Back Pain May be Widely Over-Treated in the U.S.. MSNBC Pain Center. Lauran Neergaard. June 8, 2010. Accessed August 2011.

Tips That Can Help You With Your Back Pain

When it comes to back pain, the intensity of symptoms can range anywhere from dull and tolerable to acute, agonizing pain. The condition can also affect the upper, middle, or lower section of the back or even all three areas. Fortunately, the advice in this article will offer insight into the nature of this condition.

A good masseuse can keep your back pain from becoming a more serious problem! Much of the pain and pressure on our backs comes from day to day living and all the stress that comes with it. A really good massage will help your back recover in the short term and be a healthy investment in the longer term goal of keeping back pain under control!

Have a massage. Many back pain sufferers experience a great deal of relief from touch therapy. A massage can loosen tight muscles in the back creating a general feeling of relaxation which in turn provides relief from pain. Having a massage at least once a week can help tremendously in keeping back pain under control.

If you suffer from chronic back pain, getting a simple massage can help to eliminate the pain and muscle cramping. Whether you’re visiting a massage therapist or just relaxing in one of those massaging chairs, receiving a massage can help to loosen the muscles and subsequently relieve the pain of a back ache.

Go for a massage at your local beauty parlor. A back massage can do wonders for back pain and also has the added benefits of being very relaxing and relieving stress. If you don’t like the idea of having a stranger touch you, consider buying a electrical massage chair instead.

Get a back massage at a parlor or at home from a loved one on a regular basis to prevent and treat back pain. Regular back massages can increase blood flow to promote healing and keep your muscles healthy. It also keeps your stress level low, which can also help to prevent back pain.

Enjoy a massage whenever you can. Regular massages are an excellent way to relieve back pain. Massages help to loosen tight joints and ligaments. This tightness might be causing the pain you are feeling. In addition, massage helps to stimulate your brain’s pleasure center. This releases powerful endorphins, or natural pain relievers, into your blood stream.

Massage therapy has been proven a very effective method for alleviating lower back pain as well as helping with other problems. It can help improve sleep and lessen anxiety and depression which may also be causing the back problems. Overall massage therapy has many positive benefits and is great to use in combination with heat or ice therapy.

Whether your discomfort is confined to a single area of your back or affects the upper, middle, and lower areas, following the advice in this article will offer you some degree of relief. Remain positive and remember that there are a variety of options available to diagnose, treat, and possibly even prevent back pain.

Tips on How to Sleep Better Through Sleep Ergonomics

Many individuals experience difficulties in sleeping. It is not often that everyone will have a good night sleep each night. Some individuals never have perceived that there’s a solution called sleep ergonomics. Based on on how your stance is and what position you are in, may support or damage parts of your body. The pose that you take when sleeping makes a huge difference. And if you’re not getting a good night sleep, your state of health is affected.

This article will give you a few points on the way to reduce back problems while you sleep. Just by creating a number of basic modifications in your sleep posture may help you sleep a lot better. The best posture for you to sleep is sleeping on your side. In case you are doing this make sure you place your legs a bit toward your upper body and if possible place a pillow in between your legs. There are many individuals who also use a full-length body pillow to assure stability in the way they sleep. It is not advisable to place too much weight on your arms mainly because it can create problems in circulation.

If you prefer to sleep in your back it’s advisable to place a pillow under your knees as a way to retain the curve in your lower back. Sleep ergonomics specialists say that sleeping on your tummy is probably the most detrimental position because it is bad for your lower back and spine. It may result to nerve compression as well as muscle pain. You could also place a pillow under your pelvis and your lower belly should you decide to sleep on your belly. This helps lower the strain on your back.

There are many studies which claim that the kind of pillows and mattresses that you use make a big difference in how you sleep. The appropriate type of mattress will let you retain your body aligned and comfy as well as keep the normal curves in your spine in the right position. There are lots of specialists who tell you that you should utilize some form of a memory foam bed mattress. The best bedding which are on the market are those that adapt to your spine. It is best to try a few bed mattresses to guarantee that you’re comfortable when lying in the posture that you will sleep in.

One other thing to bear in mind is that if you happen to be pregnant you might want to ensure the sleep ergonomics of the mattress suits the new curvatures of your body. Surely, being pregnant means that it is a lot more unpleasant to sleep in certain positions. As pointed out, a full-length body pillow might be a thing that eases the pressure on your back from having to carry the baby for a long period of time.

There are many different approaches to assure getting a good night sleep and probably the one that many individuals neglect to think about is the position in which to sleep.

Why Use a Chiropractic Service?

A lot can be said about getting a chiropractic service. In case you have a problem which has been troubling you for some time and you reckon that it has connected with neuromuscular problems, then it may be relevant to consult with a chiropractor. One of the reasons why there are many people seeking service from chiropractors these days is because they’d rather clear up their problem without having to take medicines. Chiropractors in most cases try to get to the cause of the problem with no need of prescribing supplements or any medications.

Among the issues that chiropractors work on relates to severe headaches. A headache could be a pain sensation that is experienced at the forehead or even at the back of the neck. Any sort of headache is worth investing by seeking the service of a chiropractor. The key reason is simply because severe headaches could possibly be the result of a misaligned cervical area. This condition can lead to a pinched nerve that’s cutting off the supply of blood to your head. Due to that, this tends to lead to extreme headaches.

What other conditions can chiropractic service treat? There are times when a nagging back pain won’t disappear completely or perhaps some form of soreness goes down one’s leg. Pain Sensation that extends down your leg often refers to sciatic nerve pain. This painful sensation is caused by the sciatic nerve which is pinched off by a misaligned area of your vertebrae. A chiropractor can check out these parts of the body and then determine where the imbalance resonates from. By locating these misaligned discs and bones, a chiropractor can figure out the best plan of action for your needs.

A misaligned spine can cause various kinds of complications. There are people who described pain sensation that they experience on a part which is far away from the cause of the problem. This sort of extending pain is known as referred pain. Referred pain can be hard to identify so the chiropractor may possibly request the person have an x-ray or an MRI to better locate the cause of the problem.

The chiropractor will ask many types of questions and check your mobility as well as your flexibility. With this, the job a chiropractor does is very comprehensive and provides for an improved diagnosis of the problem. The best chiropractic care may be accomplished when the patient and also the chiropractor work jointly with one another. In that respect the individual must follow the chiropractor’s advice so as to optimize the recuperation.

Back Pain Relief Options

If you feel persistent pain anywhere from your spine that shoots down to your hips, you are suffering from lower back pain. You could feel soreness, pinching, or shooting pain in your lower back, neck and shoulders. Lumbar pain, with neck and shoulder pain, is a common predicament that arises due to various reasons: injury, muscle stress, tension, joint disease, standing or sitting for a great deal amount of time, and even poor posture.

In many cases lumbar pain can be a sign of a more serious issue, such as sciatic nerve pain or bacterial infection in the urinary tract. To help discover the lumbar pain cause, physicians will often run tests to get rid of such conditions. When you experience pain that shoots down your leg or change in urinating, like pain or discoloration, consult your physician right away.

Back or neck injury can result from contact sports, accidents such as sliding, or lifting a heavy object using the strength in your back rather than your legs.

Moreover, society is commonly sedentary. Students sit in their classes all day long only to go home and sit again before a computer at night. Numerous jobs require workers to sit for a very long time at their desks. This time hunched over can cause the neck and shoulder muscles to stiffen, ultimately causing neck and shoulder pain. In addition, if one sits or stands for too long.. pain will manifest in the lower back as well.

Although back pain is frustrating, there are methods to treat it. Activity is vital, particularly in cases of muscle strain due to sitting or standing. While high impact activity and sports activities may not be the most appropriate options, yoga and pilates are low-impact types of exercise that can improve core strength. The stronger your core (abdominals, buttocks, and hips), the greater support your back gets. Yoga also provides a lot of extending and twisting that alleviate pain associated with muscular strain.

If you spend a lot of time sitting, one way to alleviate tension is to stand up every 30 mins and perform some leg squats. This exercise help stretch the spine and discharge some of the strain that has been put on it.

Chiropractic adjustment – often called spinal manipulation – can be a good relief option. Chiropractors work to be able to ease pain by improving alignment and mobility. As a remedy, however, it’s not suitable for all back pain causes like osteoporosis or disc compression. Chiropractic care could also be used simultaneously with another more traditional treatment, exercise plan, or diet regime.

Know How To Relieve Pregnancy Back Pain

Many women find themselves dealing with pregnancy back pain. The new baby adds pressure to the back and can make it very uncomfortable. Taking a little time to learn different methods with dealing with back pain can help the pregnant woman take care of these little issues, and allow her to focus on the larger picture.

When a woman becomes pregnant, the baby adds a lot of pressure to the mothers back. It takes on the extra pressure and weight of a growing baby and uterus. There are issues with swollen ankles and other changes that take place, all due to the body working harder.

Talking to friends and family about what they did to relieve these extra aches and pains is a good place to start. Some of them may have little secrets or ideas that they tried that may have worked for them, and perhaps may work for the new mom. Talking to your local chiropractor in Fremont about these issues would certainly add insight and understanding to what it happening and why dealing with these changes are necessary.

Often a heating pad can make all the difference in the world for an achy back. Some have used ice packs, and then alternate with the heating pad. A loving spouse can also be a good source with a light massage that will alleviate the pain and provide comfort to the new mom.

Never underestimate a long, hot bath. Sometimes sinking into a hot tub, and letting all the worries and concerns of the day melt away can be just the ticket to soothing that aching back. As well as the physical comfort of a hot bath, it also will provide emotional and mental comfort and allow the mom to relax and let things go.

Some moms have tried meditation to help with new aches and pains. Focusing on an object seems to be what helps the relaxation of the mind, body and soul. Using yoga could be beneficial, as it stretches the muscles, while still working on the mind. Stretches can also be very healing when dealing with discomfort in the body.

There are so many changes taking place in the body of an expecting mom. Her body and emotions are taking on so many things at once. Learning to live with the pregnancy back pain is another issue that she has to face. Good advice may be provided from family and friends, but reading a good book on the issues that new moms face may also be helpful. Learning how to deal with these issues will free up time to really enjoy the bigger ones.

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