2018 -

Living with Chronic Pain – What is Sciatica Pain

The term sciatica medically describes the indication of leg pain with the symptoms of numbness, tingling, and weakness. In general, it initiates in the lower back and passes through the buttock down to the sciatic nerve in the back portion of each leg. Some of the general back pain problems such as spinal stenosis, lumbar herniated disc, spondylolisthesis can cause sciatica symptoms. Basically, Sciatica Pain is a general pain distressing the sciatica nerve that extends to each leg from the lower back portion.

Common causes of sciatica:

Lumbar herniated disc or bulging disc
Lumbar spinal stenosis
Trauma
Spondylolisthesis
Spinal tumors
Piriformis syndrome

Common symptoms of sciatica:

Continuous pain in one side of your leg or buttock.
Experiencing worse pain while sitting.
Numbness, weakness or feeling difficulties while moving the toe, foot or leg.
Feeling acute pain when trying to stand up from sitting or walk.
When pain spread out down the leg but rarely it occurs only on the toes.

Though the symptoms are quite painful and acute sciatica can hamper your daily work schedule, it is very rare that permanent sciatica nerve damage happens. Also, it can hardly damage the spinal cord.

Treat sciatica pain Ayurvedically:

If you want to get relief from the disturbing pain, you have to undergo certain therapy such as the Ayurvedic Treatment for Sciatica Pain. Now, you must be wondering is Ayurvedic treatment is that much effective for sciatica? Basically, lots of people don’t like to take high-power medicines that cause side-effects after a certain period. So, Ayurvedic herbal treatment is the new practice now among the sciatica patients. The main plus point of Ayurvedic treatment is that it is totally natural and no chance of developing any harmful side-effect after using for a long time.

Sciatica is referred to as “Grdhrasi” in Ayurveda and “vulture’ is the meaning of it. The name refers to the limping pace of someone due to a piercing pain of sciatica. Ayurveda says pain is due to “vata”. “Vata” means “that which spreads”. Generally, sciatica is an example of vata disorder. In Ayurveda, you will get a wide range of natural therapies and remedies for sciatica.

Here, we are discussing 4 types of most popular Ayurvedic treatments.

Kati Basti

It is a treatment for the lower back to relax the muscles here and to reduce stiffness. In Ayurveda, “kati” means lower back whereas “basti” refers to “hold”. Flour dough is used to structure a well on the lower back portion of the patient. Then it is filled with lukewarm oil. It is necessary to maintain the warmness of the oil. It should be replaced when it becomes cool. Hot oil is used here to increase the blood circulation in the particular area. Thus it relaxes the muscle by reducing its tension, reduces stiffness, improves movement and relieves pain.

Massage and Steam Therapy:

A traditional full body massage in an Ayurvedic style truly helps to relieve muscle pain. The massage is performed by professional persons who use medicated herbal oil for massaging. This herbal oil quickly gets absorbed through your skin and provides required nourishment to the muscles. Ayurvedic massage or “Abhyanga” is normally followed by a steam therapy. Depending on the severance of the pain, the steam may be localized or you may have to take for your entire body. Massage for Sciatica Pain is sometimes really effective in order to get relief from the acute pain.

Therapeutic Enema:

It is the procedure to insert herbal oil or a specific herbal preparation (decoction) inside the colon. It is done to remove excess vata from the pelvic area. Both the colon and rectum have high lymph and blood circulation which leads to the maximum absorption. Researchers have confirmed that the enemas delivery is far more effective than the other general procedures. The herbal substances passed into the bloodstream more efficiently.

Herbal Supplements:

Some specific herbal supplements are frequently used to reduce vata in your lower back area. It is advisable that always consult an experienced Ayurvedic practitioner before consuming herbal supplements. Otherwise, you may have to suffer from another type of difficulties due to the wrongly chosen herbs.

Castor oil: It has a soft purgative effect that is effective to reduce vata.

Dashamula: it is a popular traditional herb with a great combination of 10 roots.

Ashwagandha: it is used to reduce pain. It also can rejuvenate the affected area and provides proper nourishment.

Guggulu: it is a gum-like resin originated from a small tree. It includes anti-inflammatory property and strongly reduces pain. In general, it is used for joint pain.

Sciatica and other chronic lower back pain can be efficiently treated Ayurvedically. If you can depend on Ayurveda treatments, you don’t have to take those painkillers. Also, you don’t need to undergo any type of spinal injections and surgeries. Ayurveda also leads people regarding the healthy diet plan and lifestyle changes. Thus you can avoid lower back pain from occurring. Ayurvedic Treatment for Back Pain will help you to bring back the desired body balance.

Some of the lower back pain symptoms do not imply a sciatica pain. Lower back pain also may happen due to muscles tension, sudden ache, skeleton irregularity etc. if you can treat sciatica by following Ayurvedic therapies; it is also possible that you can treat other lower back pain symptoms with the help of Ayurveda. For an instance, body massage is equally effective for both of these back pains.

Why is massage so effective? A perfect pressure point massage can heal your pain and make your muscles relaxed. This is most effective for those patients who are suffering from lower back pain caused by muscle strain and tension. If the therapist targets the correct muscle, you will get an instant result. Different types of massages are available in Ayurveda for lower back pain. Massage for Back Pain includes traditional Ayurvedic full body massage, partial massage, potli massage, acupressure and many more. Depending on your pain type, you should choose the correct one. Perfect massage will increase the blood circulation in the affected area and thus it reduces pain slowly. But you have to wait for long to get full recovery.

Bad Habits That Cause Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most chronic and common discomforts experienced by most of the people worldwide. A huge number of people have suffered from back pain at least once in a lifetime. Although back pain is not a serious health issue, it is uncomfortable and painful. It reduces your energy and increases the frequency of visiting doctor. Though we often experience a back pain, we cannot specify the actual reason for its occurrence. It may cause due to a bad sitting posture, it may associate with the muscles, bones or ligaments and a defective lumbar spine also can cause severe back pain. Back Pain Posture is one of the most common reasons nowadays because people work for long sitting in front of a desktop or a laptop.

Common causes of back pain:

Muscle or ligament strain: heavy lifting or abrupt awkward movement can strain your spine or back muscle. In a certain physical condition, a continuous strain on the back can be a reason of painful muscle spasms.

Bulging or ruptured disk: disks are the cushions placed between the vertebrae in the spine. The flexible material placed inside a disk may rupture, bulge or press a certain nerve. Disk diseases or slip disk is a serious cause of back pain and that too a chronic pain.

Arthritis and osteoporosis: osteoarthritis can affect your lower back bones and spine. It causes narrowing the space between the bones and spinal cord and that causes severe chronic back pain. Sometimes due to porous or fragile bones, vertebrae can develop density fracture.

Traveling: sitting for long in the flights or trains and walking for long carrying an overloaded backpack can cause Back Pain due to traveling.

Daily activities: We don’t maintain the right posture of sitting during our work. Also, we don’t follow the correct rule in order to plan our sitting arrangements. A straight back hard surfaced chair is always preferable to avoid back pain causes due to the wrong sitting posture.

Remedies for back pain:

You must be wondering how to get rid of a chronic back pain? Is it ever possible to achieve a complete recovery from the back pain? Choosing the right treatment for Back Pain is quite difficult. Now, we will discuss all of the fruitful remedies of back pain. You can overcome most of the back pain symptoms by following proper home remedies. But in some serious cases, you may have to consult with your doctor or may have to consider surgeries. Depending on the severance you have to decide the type of treatment.

Medications: Some popular pain reliever may get you relief from back pain. But you should take them according to your doctor’s instruction. Otherwise, harmful side effects may happen.

Exercise and Physical Therapy: exercise is the best remedy to treat back pain. Regular exercise can strengthen your abdominal and back muscles, increases flexibility and improves posture. Physical therapy is another keystone of back pain treatment. A therapist will apply various treatments including ultrasound, heat, electric stimulator and other muscle relaxing techniques.

Acupuncture: this is the procedure to insert sterilized needle inside your skin at some specific points. Appropriate acupuncture can relieve you from the lower back pain.

Yoga: Specific types of yoga including breathing exercises, practicing certain poses and postures, some popular muscle and mind relaxation techniques can help you to get rid of the chronic back pain. Yoga is a therapy where we learn to strengthen and stretch our muscles. Specifically, yoga is the best way to reduce the intensity of pain that causes due to the back Pain Stretches.

Is massage effective in order to reduce back pain?

Massage therapy is often really effective in order to reduce back pain. But you have to ensure that it causes due to the muscle tenacity or over-exhausted muscles.

A regular basis massage therapy might help you to improve the health condition. Basically, massage for Back Pain is one of the most popular therapies that help lots of people with varieties of spinal conditions such as:

Muscle tension
Ache
Inflammation
Stiffness
Muscle spasms
Pain

Using certain specialized tools or simply by using the hands, massage therapists rub, stroke and knead your back and thus it helps to increase the blood circulation throughout your body. It helps the affected muscles to gain more oxygen and nutrients and then eliminates toxins. Finally, you get relieved from back pain.

How does potli massage reduce back pain?

Potli massage is a famous therapy from Ayurveda for back pain relief. Wondering how this potli massage therapy works for your body actually? Potli massage for Back Pain works best for back pain occurred due to the diseases such as spondylitis or osteoarthritis.

It is done using some specific heated herbals in a pouch or potli. Then it is dipped into the warm herbal and medicated oil. It rejuvenates, nourishes and relaxes the affected area by massaging the potli on your entire back. You will experience a therapeutic effect while placing the potli on your back. It heals your pain and relaxes the muscles. You will feel refreshed after taking a potli massage.

How To Get Rid of Chronic Back Pain

Anybody who has experienced lower back pain knows how disabling it is. The issue prevents the affected individual from working productively at work and do many physical activities. There is no magic cure for chronic back pain. However, over time many treatments can reduce or even eliminate the problem. We look at the various treatments for chronic back pain.

• Lose Weight Gradually

An obese person has higher chances of getting chronic back pain. Obesity results in more pressure on the spine causing or aggravating chronic back pain. But be warned. Strenuous physical activities aimed at losing weight put additional pressure on the spine. That will definitely make the condition worse. Do light exercises gradually increasing in intensity. The key is to be gentle on the spine while losing weight. The lesser your weight the less the burden on your spine.

• Yoga

Yoga is an ancient Indian science. But it must be practiced under the guidance of a qualified and experienced instructor. There are many yogic exercises that are gentle on the spine as well as strengthen the spine gradually. The key is to be patient and persevere.

• Physiotherapy

This is another excellent treatment option. Based on factors such as your age, weight and condition of the spine the physiotherapist will suggest exercises that strengthen the lower back and help eliminate/reduce pain.

• Ayurveda

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine. It has been around for thousands of years. A trained Ayurvedic practitioner can recommend Ayurvedic medicine and/or oils to massage your back. Unlike Allopathy, Ayurvedic massage treatment has much lesser side effects.

• Indulge in Activities that make you Happy

Everyone has their favourite activity and/or hobby. The latter may vary from person to person. But it takes your mind off the back pain and ramps up your level of pain tolerability. So, whenever you find the pain unbearable do your favourite activity.

• Aromatherapy

The smell of essential oils extracted from flowers can help. It makes you feel better and forget life’s troubles. So, whenever you feel like popping in a pain killer sniff essential oils instead. It reduces stress and makes pain more bearable. Usually Aromatherapy doesn’t have major side effects. Check with your doctor before trying out this alternative medicine.

• Have Adequate Sleep

If you get quality sleep you are energetic during your waking hours. It also lets your back get ample rest which aids the healing process. You need to give your back enough rest to cure the pain. A good idea is to put a soft pillow behind your back while working for the sake of physical support.

• Massages

Certain oils have healing powers such as Ayurvedic oils and others. Massaging your back by a trained masseuse boosts blood circulation and accelerates the healing process. Massages are a popularly practiced and powerful technique to drive pain away from the affected areas.

• Correct Posture

Incorrect posture is a leading cause of lower back pain. If your job is sedentary make sure your chair supports correct posture, is comfortable to sit in and provides adequate support to your back. The bed you sleep in should not be uncomfortable and should offer good support to your lower back.

• Regularly Exercise

Physical activities release endorphins in your body. Endorphins aid in stopping the pain signals manifesting in the brain. Also, the former brings down depression, stress as well as anxiety which are mental health conditions linked to chronic back pain and also aggravate the pain.

• Apply Cold Packs or Hot Packs

The usage of cold packs brings down inflammation a leading symptom present in any kind of back pain. Cold packs play the role of a local anaesthetic. Heat packs ramp up blood flow to the affected region supplying much needed nutrients. The former also blocks the pain messages dispatched to the brain. You can use the packs individually or as a combination for best results.

• Good Diet

Calcium deficiency or protein deficiency may also contribute to lower back pain. Eat a well-balanced diet containing adequate fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins as well as minerals. If you suspect your diet isn’t adequate try consuming supplements prescribed by a qualified physician.

• Stretch your Hamstrings on a Daily Basis

Tight hamstrings are one of the causes of lower back pain. To treat the former condition regularly do hamstring stretching exercises. Make sure you do the latter very carefully and gently.

• Leverage Psychology as a Tool

If you are obsessed with your pain, your condition may become worse. Refrain from brooding over the same. Go out of the house, socialize or take a walk. In short do activities that distract you from the pain. Keeping busy will leave you with practically no time to obsess over your lower back pain. Visual imaging is a tool that may be effective for you. You can imagine in your mind that your pain is becoming lesser and lesser and ultimately disappearing.

• Meditation

Relaxation of the mind and body is effective against many kinds of chronic pain. Try out relaxation techniques such as meditation at home or in an outdoor setting to battle lower back pain.

• Join a Support Group

Remember that you are not the only person suffering. Many other people do with varying levels of success. A support group gives the opportunity to open up about your problems. You can benefit from the tips and invaluable experience of fellow sufferers.

• Stay Positive

A positive attitude will boost your will power and ensure you stay on the course of treatment. Seek out people and places emanating positive vibes.

• Consult a Medical Professional

If all treatment options fail, seek the opinion of a qualified medical processional. He/she will recommend medicines to alleviate the symptoms and treat the underlying cause. Sometimes surgery will be advised to cure the problem. Make sure you go to a reputed physician. Speak to his/her previous patients to get a better picture about the physician’s expertise.

Other nonsurgical treatments include laser therapy, Acupuncture, electrical nerve simulation, biofeedback therapy and more.

Cherish your Memory with Personalised Gift

Everybody loves gifts. However personalized gifts are remembered for a long time. A traditional gift may get lost among many conventional gifts. But a personalized gift stands out from the crowd. There are various methods to personalize gifts based on what the stuff is and its making material. We look at reasons why personalized gifts are the best.

Giving these Gifts Demonstrate that Thought has Gone in Selecting or Making the Gift

Almost everybody is impressed when given a personalized gift. The phrase ‘it’s the thought that matters’ is true in the realm of gift giving. In practice it mostly takes only a bit of time and effort on the gift givers part. In spite of that the gift shows that you have given attention to something that matters to the gift taker. It could be their favourite brand, or favourite quote. It is amply clear that you took the extra step to come up with something that suits the recipient.

Personalized Gifts are an apt fit irrespective of Age or Gender

The truth that it is not easy to select gifts for somebody who is not of your age or gender. Shopping is even more tough if you don’t know the individual well. However, you can get them what they will love dearly irrespective of the occasion by coming up with a personalized gift. It doesn’t make a difference what their age is. Gifts that have something they are attached to such as their nickname, birth date or photo are sure to floor them.

Nobody else would have given the same gift

After spending considerable time, money and effort you get the best possible gift only to discover that someone else has given them the same gift. This embarrassing situation can be averted by going for personalized gift. You could get a gift with the recipient’s photo and make sure it is cherished for a long time.

Demonstrate Affection

A personalized gift is an indicator that you know the recipient very well and taken special effort to ensure the gift is something they will cherish as well as hold dear. The former is very important to your partner as it indicates that you care for the person as well know them extremely well which is the best gift of all.

A Personal Gift is one of its kind

Everybody is unique. Hence give a gift that respects or highlights their uniqueness. Traditional gifts reflect little or no effort. But personalized gifts mean thought and care has been put to get or make something truly novel.

These Gifts are Cherished Forever

Most gifts are easily forgotten as well as used. Personal gifts evoke memories and are extremely valued. Examples are personalized wardrobe, personalized jewellery and others.

We take a look at some ideas for personalized gifts

Honeymoon Package

You could give a newly wedded couple a honeymoon package covering travel fare, meals, sight-seeing as well as shopping. It could be a destination they haven’t visited or is their favourite destination. This shows that you know what they like to visit, eat and shop. This is a once in a lifetime trip which makes it memorable.

Personalized Wardrobe

You could have shirts with the photos of the wearers favourite celebrities. A good idea is to have the recipient’s favourite quotes emblazed on his clothing. This shows you know the person’s likes as well as dislikes.

Autographed Souvenirs

We all are fans of certain personalities. Get to know who the recipient admires. Present him with a gift with the signature of his favourite personality. He will remember you forever for going out of the way to get him/her the treasured gift.

Chocolates Shaped like Cartoon Characters

Everybody loves chocolates especially kids. The latter are in the age group where this gift is highly precious and something to show their pals.

For the Foodie

Everybody likes to eat at fancy restaurants but find it costly. So, if you have to gift somebody passionate about food a meal at his/her favourite eatery will be remembered as well as appreciated.

Married Folk

Marriages are supposed to last a lifetime. Both partners consider each other their dearest asset. A perfect gift would be a necklace with the spouse’s name on it. This is a gift meant to last for a lifetime.

Coffee Mugs with Favourite Quotes

You need to take pains to find out the recipient’s favourite quotes. He/she will be pleased with the gift and daily remember who went out of the way to make the gift truly special.

Spa as a Gift

Now this is a different kind of gift. The recipient will enjoy luxurious spa and massages. Different oils will be used to make the experience more enjoyable and relaxing. The scent of essential oils will mesmerise the person. A birthday is a perfect occasion to give this gift. However, find out the person’s preferences before bestowing him/her with a birthday spa. He/she will remember the satisfying as well as pleasurable experience for a long time.

Books

For the book lover a rare book or a book by the recipient’s favourite author makes an apt gift. Usually books are preserved for a long time bringing back sweet memories.

Greeting Cards

There are many occasions when greeting cards are sent. It could be a birthday, marriage anniversary, Valentine’s day, Father’s day, Mother’s day and more. Have a photo of the recipient and a handwritten message to ensure that he/she treasures them for a long time. Online greeting cards with personalized music make for excellent and personalized gifts for all.

Personalized Calendars

Calendars are something that folks check out everyday. Married couples can be presented with personalized Calendars featuring different photos of the couple for each month. For the office goers make a calendar where there are photos of family as well as friends for each month of the calendar year.

Birthday Cakes

Birthdays happen once a year. Get an expert cake maker to create a cake with a picture of the birthday boy or birthday girl. Rest assured the recipient will go gaga over the gift.

How to Maintain High Energy and Lower Stress Levels for the Entire Week

Have you wondered why some people have high energy levels and are able to combat stress effectively? Would you also like to have boundless energy and be immune to stress? Then read on for valuable tips and techniques.

Have Enough Sleep

Different people have different sleep requirements. Make sure you have adequate sleep as per your body requirements. Have power naps at your place of work to give you ample rest and be charged for your next assignment.

Plan in Advance

Write down whatever you want to achieve on a particular day. Then prioritize the tasks. Make sure you get started on the high priority ones right away. This way you don’t waste time and effort doing tasks that have poor returns. Remember the 80/20 rule. As per the rule, 80% of business comes from 20% of the customers. So, make sure you focus on the valuable 20% of clients who give you the majority of deals.

Have a Healthy Diet

Make sure you consume enough fresh fruits and vegetables. Remember to drink plenty of water that will keep you hydrated throughout the day. Your diet has a major role to play in your energy levels and ability to tackle stress. Stay away from items having high levels of caffeine and refined sugar. Check yourself for any vitamin or mineral deficiency. If you have some deficiency you ought to consume vitamin or mineral supplements as prescribed by a medical professional. Avoid processed food and red meat too.

Exercise Regularly

Morning in the best time to exercise. Go outdoors to connect with nature and get your daily dose of oxygen and sunshine. Exercising release Endorphins – the feel-good chemicals in the body. The human body needs exercise just as it needs food and fresh air.

Positive Thinking

Avoid negative thoughts and negative people. They sap you of your energy. Positive thoughts energize you and are infectious. The former makes you persevere and persist in situations that make many people give up.

Yoga

Yoga benefits both the body and mind. You do not need any fancy equipment. Fit people have the most energy and are the most stress-free. Yoga has the techniques to banish stress from any part of the body and mind.

Meditation

Meditation has been proven to ramp up energy levels as well as eliminate stress. The former is best done in a silent environment. It helps you push out negative thoughts and focus on the positives in life. It is potent as it encourages the individual to be in the present rather than recalling the past or worrying about what the future holds.

Ayurveda

There are many ayurvedic ingredients that boost your energy levels and keep stress at bay. An Ayurvedic practitioner can prescribe medicines and design a diet as per your body diet. This is safe and free from major side effects.

Laugh and Smile Often

As per scientific research people who laugh and smile frequently have a better quality of life as well as have prolonged life spans. A tip is to have jokes and photos of your family put up at your workplace to cheer you up whenever you are feeling low. There are many laughing clubs you can join where participants are encouraged to laugh out loudly.

Learn to say ‘No’

You can’t satisfy everybody and keep all happy. It is not realistic. Agree to demands that you are confident of satisfying. Some may find it hard to say ‘No’. It is better to say ‘No’ at the onset instead of saying ‘Yes’ and disappointing folk later by being unable to meet their deadlines.

Consume Ginseng

This is widely advocated in Chinese traditional medicine. Ginseng is believed to have rejuvenating and refreshing properties. There exist plenty of people who will testify to its ability to boost health and bring down stress.

Take a Hot or Cold Shower

As per your preference and the climate you can take frequent hot or cold baths. It will make you feel clean and smell better. In addition, it helps boost blood circulation.

Destress Spa

Visit a spa at least once a month. They will give you stress massage therapy with different oils and ingredients that will remove all stress and make you ready to meet any sort of challenges. The money spent on spas is well worth it.

Aromatherapy

The smell of essential destress oils have been proven to drive away stress and fatigue. Keep essential oils at home and office to have that energetic feeling. Experiment with different oils so that you find out which works best for you.

Drink Chamomile Tea

This beverage has been employed for ages to get rid of stress, tension, and fatigue. It is economical and can be prepared at home.

Limit the use of Electronic Gadgets

Instead of watching television indulge in sports or social activities. Meet up friends and relatives physically instead of phoning them. Limit screen time as much as possible. Scientific studies indicate that the rampant usage of electronic devices is a major source of modern day stress. Checking email frequently is a habit most of us have. Instead, check emails just 2 to 3 times a day.

Eat Meals Prepared at Home

Fast food is a modern-day phenomenon. We eat out more frequently than we did in the past. You have no control over the ingredients and the technique of preparing the food. You are what you eat. By eating home cooked food you eliminate the risk of ingesting pollutants and carcinogens.

Have Frequent Holidays

Successful people make sure they have enough play time. Research indicates that individuals who holiday frequently are the happiest as well as most productive. Holidays are a perfect opportunity to connect with family and take a break from work.

Get Enough Sunlight

Patients with depression are encouraged to get adequate sun exposure. Even normal individuals need to be exposed to the sun to boost energy and minimize stress. Sun is part of nature. Nature plays a vital role in our energy levels and stresses fighting capabilities.

Various Overlooked Remedies for Lower Back Pain Relief

Lower back pain is a common problem, especially with sedentary workers. It is a leading cause of pain, discomfort, and disability. The pain could prevent you from doing your work efficiently and/or leading a normal social life. The usual treatment is medication including painkillers. In some cases, surgery is advised. The best treatment comes after a process of trial and error. Some people benefit from conventional remedies while some do not. We look at some overlooked remedies which are different but are potent.

Yoga

This ancient Indian practice can work wonders. Unlike gymnasiums and athletics Yoga does not put a strain on your body. It is suitable for everybody regardless of age. You are required to do exercises as per your capability. Done regularly Yoga strengthens your spine as well as back muscles.

Ayurveda

This is an age-old Indian system of medicine. Ayurvedic medicines do not have as much side effects as allopathic medicine. It is safe and can be highly effective for patients with lower back pain. Ayurvedic treatment for back pain is worth giving a try.

Potli massage therapy

This is popularly practiced in India as well as South East Asia. Here heated herbal pouches termed potlis are employed to treat the affected regions. It is a kind of massage while heals as well as refreshes. Fresh as well as dried Ayurvedic herbs are selected for the potlis as per an individual’s Ayurvedic constitution and the underlying issue. This massage comes in 2 types namely wet and dry. Many have benefited immensely from Potli massage for back pain.

Body Massages

Most of us love body massages. The good news is that it helps relieve the painful symptoms of lower back pain. Make sure that the person doing the massage is qualified as well as experienced. Done incorrectly massages can make the condition worse. Massages promote blood flow to the affected area and remove the stiffness that contributes to lower back pain.

Hot and cold treatment on the affected area

Remember to start with the cold treatment and not the hot treatment. You could use ice for the cold treatment. The latter brings down inflammation in the affected area. It plays the role of a local anesthetic by working on the nerve impulses. It is recommended to keep the cold or hot pack for 20 minutes and not more. This gives the lower back muscles and nerves time to recover. Heat application boosts blood circulation. The healing nutrients present in the blood brings down the intensity of the pain. Also, the pain signals are blocked from reaching the brain. There are various types of heat application. It’s advised to try different methods to discover what is best for your body. It could be a hot water bottle, a hot bath, a hot shower, a hot tub or a hot belt. It is best to alternate hot and cold treatments.

Indulge in activities that release endorphins in the body

The body produces certain hormones known as endorphins. Few know that the latter is as powerful as the best of painkillers. Endorphins stop pain signals manifesting in the human brain. The former reduces depression, tension, anxiety, and stress which are the result of or a trigger for chronic back pain.

The hormones are released when you indulge in exercise, take massages, meditate or do aromatherapy. Best of all the treatment is easy on the pocket, safe and without adverse side effects.

Lose weight

Obesity is both a cause and result of lower back pain. Obese folk has extra pressure on their spine which results in back pain. When you are in pain you will feel like lying down and refrain from exercising. Lack of exercise weakens the back muscles and piles up the pounds. This is a vicious cycle. Hence do light exercises such as walking or yoga to lose weight which in turn reduces the pressure on the spine.

Acupuncture

This Chinese system of medicine has many benefits including alleviating the symptoms and causes of lower back pain. It’s been around for thousands of years and in expert hands safe without associated side effects. Make sure you use the services of a reputed as well as a quality practitioner.

Wear sturdy footwear

Avoid high heels. They are a major cause of lower back pain. Invest in robust, high quality indoor as well as outdoor footwear. The latter will support some of your weight resulting in less burden on your back.

Sleep well

Sleep rejuvenates and repairs the body. So, if you suffer from lower back pain make sure you are well rested. Both the quality and quantity of sleep matters. Invest in a good quality bed that supports your back while sleeping.

Maintain correct posture

Incorrect posture is a leading cause of lower back pain. Many of us don’t maintain the correct posture. Use chairs that are designed to properly support your back. Bad habits are hard to break and that applies to poor posture as well. With constant practice and a bit of willpower, you will soon get into the healthy habit of sitting, standing and walking while maintaining an upright as well as correct posture.

Take breaks

Avoid working continuously for a long stretch. This tip is particularly targeted towards those of us who have largely sedentary jobs. Get up, stretch your muscles or go for a short stroll. You will be amazing at the difference what a small step like this will make.

Mind training

You can train your mind to ignore or reduce pain signals. Distracting your mind, hypnosis and visualization technique are some of the tools you can employ to reduce the intensity of pain.

Indulge yourself

Do something that you enjoy will take your attention away from the constant pain. Listen to your favorite music, eat your preferred food, call up old friends or do anything that you perceive as enjoyable.

The power of positive thinking

The road to get rid of lower back pain may be long and tough. Negative thoughts may prevent you from not trying resulting in certain failure. Focus on the positives and move on. Let not negative people and memories of past failures discourage you. Only if you try will you succeed.

Join a peer group

Remember you are not alone. It is good to get support and encouragement from others who are in the same boat. Talking about your pain will definitely take a burden off your mind. The presence of others with similar issues will surely motivate you. Others may have the solution to your specific problems.

What do Therapist Expect from a Good Customer?

Almost everybody is familiar with the phrase ‘Customer is king’. Whether a business is big or small its success is largely dependent on getting good customers. There is a lot of emphasis on providing good customer service since it leads to a loyal customer base. Every customer like to be treated well. However certain things are expected from the customer as well. If you expect respect you should give equal respect too. Expectations are not a one-way street. Businesses have expectations too and want their staff be treated well by customers. We look at things therapists expect from a good customer.

• Treats the Therapist Well

The customer should treat the therapist as he/she wishes to be treated by the therapist. If the customer has made a mistake he/she should admit it and apologize as the situation demands. He/she should not lose his/her temper if the therapist makes a mistake. He/she can gently and diplomatically point out the error. The therapist is a human being too with emotions as well as sensitivities. Don’t say or do anything that hurts or belittles him/her. You may have an issue with the organization. Don’t vent it on the therapist. He/she is an employee and is doing a job with the best of his/her abilities. It’s better to approach the customer service representative or the manager in case of grievances.

• Behave Professionally

The customer should not treat the therapist as a slave or servant. Just because you have paid for the service you can’t behave with or treat people in any manner you want. The therapist is a professional and behaves as such. Don’t use uncouth language or speak in a loud and threatening manner.

• Keeps Phone Silent

The therapist requires silence to go about his/her job efficiently as well as effectively. Many customers carry their phone with them wherever they go. The sound of a phone ringing or taking a phone call during a session is indeed annoying. Either switch off your phone or put in silent mode during a therapist’s session.

• Not Asking for Sexual Favours

This behavior is unacceptable in a professional environment. Keep your private life private. Asking for sexual favors may land you into legal trouble. Just because the customer has paid for the service he/she cannot engage in unacceptable behavior. The spa is no place for flirting.

• Talk Slowly

Every therapist cannot grasp what a customer is saying if he/she talks fast. By talking slowly, it is easier to grasp what the customer wants. The customer should not speak in a loud tone as it may disturb others.

• Maintain Decorum of Spa

The Best Spa will have other customers too. The customer should obey the rules and conduct himself/herself in a professional manner. Mutual respect and cultured/civilized behavior are mandatory.

• Follow Therapist Instruction to Get Full Benefit

The therapist is qualified and trained to deliver results. Following your own instincts or omitting certain instructions may cause the treatment to fail. If you have any doubts or misgivings clear them at the earliest. The therapist will only be happy to resolve your issues.

• Trust your Therapist

No treatment is effective until the customer trusts it to work. If you lack trust better not to go with the therapist. You should have confidence as well as faith in the expertise of the therapist.

• Shares Responsibility

A good customer understands that both the therapist and himself/herself need to put in efforts for the relevant treatment to succeed. The former doesn’t simply blame the therapist in case of failure. He/she should admit to any mistakes made by himself/herself that caused the treatment to fail.

• Is Patient

Some treatments need time to work. If stopped midway or done hurriedly the treatment will fail in spite of the best efforts of both the therapist and customer. Patience is a major quality expected in good customers.

• Doesn’t Discuss the Financial Part

The therapist may not own the spa though it may happen in a few cases. Talk about the money part with the administration. Don’t try to get a bargain from the therapist as he/she has no role in it.

• Is Punctual

Don’t customers get angry when someone doesn’t honour appointments or turns up late? A therapist expects punctuality from the customer. The customer should inform in advance if he/she is not going to turn up for the appointment or may arrive late. No one likes to be kept waiting and that is true of therapists as well.

• Dresses Properly

A dressing is a personal choice but maintaining the decorum of the spa is equally important. Wear clothes in a manner that doesn’t offend or embarrass others.

• Is Clear About Expectations

The customer should be absolutely clear about what he/she expects from the treatment. Otherwise, there will be disappointments later. A good customer has clarity of expectations as well as communicates the same clarity to the therapist.

• Leaves in Time

Everyone appreciates the importance of arriving on time but do we think about the importance of leaving at the stipulated time? The therapist may have other customers or responsibilities to attend to. Respect other people’s time and they will respect yours.

• Is Understanding

Empathy is an important quality present in good customers. If a customer is suffering from a contagious disease better he/she wait until the ailment clears up. Otherwise, he/she may transmit the disease to the spa’s staff as well as other customers who come in the proximity.

• Pays Attention to Signs

Usually, signs are put up regarding the rules and policies of the establishment. Most of us don’t bother to read it. Even if few read the signs very few actually follow the rules. A good customer is alert to the signs as well as faithfully follows them.

• Follows Politeness

A good customer uses the terms ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’ often. He/she criticizes in private and praises in public. He/she is gentle yet assertive.

Even if you already are a good customer there is scope for improvement. Ask the therapist regarding his/her expectations of you. Then you will be on the road to becoming a model customer.

Got Stiff Back or Back Pain? A Body Massage Could Help Relieve Back Pain or Stiffness

“Ouch, my back is stiff and it hurts,” groaned Vikram, as he sat on the chair and bent over to lace his shoes. Is this how you feel each morning? If yes, its time you take a look into your life style and make minor changes such as including a body massage in your monthly health routine.

One of the most common condition experienced by young as well as middle-aged Indians is the back pain. Generally, backpain starts in the lower back and later the pain spreads over the buttocks and from down the back of the thighs. If left untreated or ignored for a long time it can worsen leading to a severe pain that can even wake you up from sleep.

A reputed Back and Spine Clinic in India presented its Insights Report on The World Spine Day 2017.The report was based on the study of the samples of 20,000 patients across the four metro cities of India. As per the report, 20 percent of the young Indians falling in the age group of 16 and 34 are undergoing treatment for back pain. This is a growing medical concern among both young men and women.

Pack Pain relief — Back massage relieves back pain

Good eating habits along with regular exercises and following a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the stiff back to an extent. Another way to relieve your back pain is to have regular therapeutic massage either in a wellness center or at home using ayurvedic oil (link to the blue nectar oil). Its always good to be aware of the causes of stiff back or back pain.

Causes of Stiff Back/Back Pain

A stiff back prevents you from doing even a simplest of tasks. Being aware of the causes of the pain may help you find the right course of the treatment. Making small changes in your current life style can have a bigger impact on your health. Let’s have a look at five major causes of back pain or stiff back

Bad sitting posture

Wrong posture leads to back pain — Wrong Posture

Bad sitting posture puts a strain on the lower back muscles, and in the long run it may even change the anatomical structures of the spine resulting severe damages to the joints, nerves or discs.

Some of the sitting posture that should be corrected include

Leaning towards the computer without utilizing the support of the chair.
Sitting on the edge of the chair.
Staring up or down on the screen of the computer or other hand-held gadgets.

Also avoid sitting continuously for prolonged hours.

Slipped disc or Herniated disc

Here the back pain is as the result of the wear and tear in one of the discs of the spine. A sharp pain is felt while getting up after sitting down for a long period of time or even following a sneeze or laugh. The stiffness of the back and the pain aggravates while moving around. Hunching forward may intensify the pain.

Obesity or overweight leads to low backpain

Many people are not aware that over-weight or obesity contributes to back pain. The weight around the abdomen increases the stress and strain on the back. When a person has excess body fat he is called as obese. The reasons for obesity could be numerous ranging from low metabolism to excess consumption of fat and greasy food habits. Regular exercise, controlled diet and therapeutic massages using anti-cellulite oil (https://www.bluenectar.co.in/ayurvedic-herbal-back-pain-and-joint-strengthening-oil.html) will help reduce your weight. This in turn would reduce the nagging pain in the lower back.

Tight Hamstrings

Hamstrings are large, strong and powerful muscles that run through the back of the thighs. Lack of any physical activity or if there is no stretching exercise before or after a strenuous workout can result in tight hamstrings. This will hamper the motion in the pelvis area leading to stress on the lower back. This can be reduced through targeted hamstring stretching and proper massages.

Osteoarthritis of the spine

When the cartilage between the facet joints in the lower back is stretched or broken it can lead to stiff back. As the person ages, there is a friction between two joints leading to severe pain. This is usually seen in senior citizens.

Popular Treatments for Back Pain

Total bed rest – This is one of the traditional treatment where the several days of complete bed rest would be recommended along with light physical activity to relieve discomfort.

Ice pack application – This help to loosen as well as relax the muscles in the lower back. It also aids relieving the tension.
Stretches and exercises – Back stretches including a few yoga postures help relieve lower back pain and stiffness.
Oral Medication – A medical practitioner would prescribe muscular relaxants or anti-inflammatory drugs. These medicines give temporary relief. When the effect wears off the pain comes back.
Why Opt for Therapeutic Massages to Relieve Back Pain

Massage is an alternate therapy that relieve many spinal conditions including stiff back, back pain, muscular tension, aches and inflammation. Some of the benefits of back massage include the following:

Massage promotes muscle relaxation – Regular massage reduce muscle spasms that occur when the rib joints lose mobility. The therapy will aid in releasing tension in tissues and thereby increase the mobility of pelvic area.
Improves blood circulation – The soreness of the lower back muscles will be reduced when massaged. The reason is it increases the blood flow in that region.
Massage increases the level of endorphins – When you undergo back massage therapy to manage chronic pain, the body produces the feel-good chemicals called endorphins. This is considered to be one of the biggest benefits of therapeutic back and body massage.

Though once considered to be an alternative approach for back pain management, today it’s a popular therapy much sought after. Choose a reputed wellness center that provide pain management and customized as well as proven massage therapies such as Ayurvedic therapies, spot therapies, Instant relief therapy and so on.

Year: 2018