Category: Back Pain

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.

Causes of Back Pain

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.

Back Pain

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.

Excercise and Physical Therapy

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.

Aromatherapy

• 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.

 

Ayurvedic Massage Oil

• 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.

Massage Therapy

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

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.Yoga for Lower Back Pain

  • 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.

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.

Aromatherapy

  • 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.

Body 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.

power of positive thinking

  • 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.

 

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

Stiff Back
Wrong posture and back pain (Pic Credit: Avazo.com)

“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

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. Obesity or overweight leads to low backpain 
Obesity Managemnt
Obesity

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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

Why are my joints so stiff? What can I do?

What is a JOINT?

A joint is a junction in our body, where 2 bones join together. Joints allow movement in human body. Without these joints we wouldn’t be able to sit, stand, nod, bent and so on. If these joints become stiff, we have great difficulty in our movement.

Stiff joint has become a very common problem for everyone, nowadays. Sometimes you may feel stiffness in your joint due to some disease that your body may be undergoing. You may also feel joint stiffness after staying in a position for a long time. There are a number of reasons behind joint stiffness.

Joint stiffness can also lead to pains in different body parts like back pain, knee pain, pain near your knees etc. There are many treatments and remedies that will help you to get rid of such health related issues. However, you should evaluate each of the available remedies and ensure that you chose the best one for you. This article has been written to provide you with some details about the reasons and cures for joint stiffness and other issues related with this.

Joint Pain
Stiffness in Joints

Before anything and everything, lets first figure out the causes of Joint Pain. Let’s understand why the joints become stiff and then work around the method to cure or how to get relief from joint pain and stiffness.

Why does joint stiffness occur?

Joint stiffness may occur due to some diseases or may be because of your sitting or sleeping habit. If you sit for a long time you may feel that your joints are stiff when you get up. You may also feel that your joints are stiff when you wake up. This may happen because you stay in a same position for a long time. Due to this the body fluid gets away from your joints even the blood flow gets reduced. Because of fewer amount of body fluids near the joints you feel the stiffness. This stiffness does not stay for long time. After few minutes you will get relief from such stiffness.

Your over weight may also give you joint pain and stiffness. This stiffness occurs due the continuous press of your weight on the joints. To cure such pain you should focus on your weight loss.

But there are also some diseases that cause joint stiffness. Following are some of the diseases that may cause Joint Stiffness-

  • Rheumatoid arthritis– this is a chronic inflammatory disease. This is an autoimmune disease, which means your body parts are attacked by your immune system. This may lead to deformity of joint and severe joint pain.

 

  • Osteoarthritis– this is the most common among all type of arthritis. In this type of arthritis the bones get damaged severely. You may find tear on the bones due to this disease. This causes swelling and also stiffness. The pain which it causes is unbearable. It can attack any of you body part like knees, fingers, neck, hips etc.

 

  • Lumps– this is a disease like rheumatoid arthritis. It attacks itself including the surrounding tissues, bones and joints. This disease is very difficult to identify. This is such a disease that is not curable. But the treatments can reduce the pain, stiffness or swelling.

 

  • Bursitis– Bursae are small fluid sacs that are already present in your body. These are situated near the joints. When these fluid sacs get inflamed then it is called bursitis. This disease causes stiffness around the joints. This can attack any joint of your body. It mostly attacks the knee or elbow joint.

 

  • Gout– This is a disease that happens suddenly. It may attack you when you are sleeping. This gives you sudden stiffness in your joints. This also causes pain near the joints.

 

  • Bone cancer– joint stiffness or joint pain does not occur mostly due to bone cancer. But it may cause swelling and stiffness in your joints and it also bring pain to your joints.

These are some of the reasons due to which you may feel joint stiffness. Let’s now try to understand some of the methods to get rid of such health issues.

Remedies for Joint Pain

Following are some remedies mentioned-

  • Hot and cold compress– Before you go for the medicinal treatment of this problem you may try some home remedies like hot and cold compress. You may apply cold compress with some ice in a bag and apply that on the joint that is paining. You can do it several times throughout the day. But apply it continuously for 15 to 20 minutes. You can also do the same for hot compress. Put some hot water in a bag and give the temperature on the joints. You can apply both hot and cold compress or you may apply any of these two. It may depend on the amount of relief that you would get with them.

 

Hot and Cold Compress
  • Medicine– You can find a number of medicines that claim to reduce the pain which may occur due to any of the above mentioned diseases. However, no medicine can totally cure such diseases. PRECAUTION: Before you consume any of these medicines you should consult a doctor. A wrong medicine can have many side effects.

 

  • Ayurvedic treatment– Ayurveda has treatment for every disease. This is the most ancient form of treatment. The ayurvedic medicines are made up of 100% natural ingredients so that they do not cause any harm or side effects. There are also some essential oils that are used to cure such problem. Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain or ayurvedic treatment for back pain is very famous amongst all. Ayurvedic treatment is quite popular all over India. These treatments are done with the plants and ingredients derived from nature.

 

  • Exercise– This is one of the best method to cure such kind of pain. MOTION IS THE BEST LOTION. Since the ancient time yoga has been practiced since to stay fit. Yoga also helps to cure such disease. Yoga is all about controlled breathing and releasing oxygen to various body parts. You can also do other exercises to get rid of joint pain. But it is more preferable to do yoga to get some relief from joint pain or back pain. If you do yoga throughout your life span, you will be able to prevent many diseases and you will also get rid of some diseases.

 

These are some of the many remedies that are available for any kind of Joint Pain. It’s however recommended to consult a medical practitioner for the correct diagnosis. Once you are aware of the kind of pain you are suffering from, you could choose from the available treatments and remedies. But remember, keep moving and keep walking. Keep those joints in motion to avoid discomfort.

Top reasons for Back Pain

Almost 80% of us suffer from Back Pain at some stage in our lives. Back Pain is a culmination of inadvertently accumulated bad habits like Back posture, work station posture, foot wear, sleep posture etc. What is worrying is despite our various graduation and post graduation degrees, we may manage multi dollar businesses, but we dont learn to manage a simple machine – our body!

Here are simple tips to avoid if you want to live a Back Pain free life!

Flip-flops

When summers are on, flip-flops are what we put on!” In warm weather we love wearing flip-flops while running or walking. But coming to a deeper study on the same, flip-flops do cause shortening of your gait and thus reduces a comfortable movement and in turn increases the chances of fatigue in lower body or cause pain in the knee and feet. They also cause stress in the toes and leading to pain in feet.

Excessive Mobile Phone usage could cause Back Pain

Smartphones

Beep’, ‘Tap tap tap’, ‘Ping’. ‘Beep’, ‘Tap tap tap’, ‘Ping’… The constant cycle of texts, instant messages and tweets has been established to affect eye health, increase stress levels and result in poor sleep. Now, however, research shows that your mobile phone may also be the culprit of back pain and neck strain.

Your Wallet

Millions of guys drive with their wallet in their back pocket, but they can’t figure out why they moan whenever they get out of the car. But sitting on your wallet while you drive is a recipe for lower back pain and – if you do it often enough — nerve pain that shoots down your leg. Riding with one cheek higher than other can trigger chronic pain in your back, hips, and shoulders. It can even set off foot cramps.

Driving could cause Back Pain

Driving

Approximately 30-60% of drivers report back pain that is caused or made worse by driving. This is not uncommon as driving exposes the body to many different forces including acceleration, deceleration and most notably vibration. Larger heavy goods vehicle drivers are exposed to a lot of vibration and consequently this group of people report more back pain. Driving also involves the use of your feet to control the car’s pedals which means they are not used to help stabilise and support your lower body as they normally would when sitting. A combination of these factors as well as the inadequate design of some vehicle seats can cause back problems for some.

Video Games

The human body was just not designed for sitting for long periods of time. Many serious video gamers report spending countless hours playing their favorite games. This can take its toll on the body, especially the neck and back. Nearly three quarters of primary school children and nearly two thirds of secondary school age children have reported back or neck pain in the past year, a study found.

Your Baby

As a new mum your focus is on your baby, however caring for your new born, especially as they grow and develop can also put strain on you and your body. Many mums do not get the chance to stop and think about some of the positions they are putting themselves in during the range of new repetitive activities of being a new mum. These repetitive stresses can lead to RSI’s (repetitive stress injuries)

Laptop bag 

One of the most overlooked culprits of back, neck, shoulder and even lower back and hip pain is the way we are carrying our laptops around.  Most of us carry around our laptops in a laptop carrier, shoulder bag, messenger bag or back pack.  And once you factor in the laptop itself, power chords, notebooks, files, maybe a bottle of water and other personal items, you quickly find yourself lugging around a mighty heavy bag which can take it’s toll.

Sleeping habits

If you wake up sore most mornings, take a good look at your sleep posture. Stomach sleepers may twist their necks to the point of hyperextension. Other people sleep on their sides with one arm overhead. After many hours, this position can strain the shoulder.

Work station

The most common causes for work-related back pain are strained muscles or ligaments, wear and tear, bad posture and stress, and most of us will have some back pain at some point. Usually, it’s not serious, and the pain clears up (although that can take up to 6 weeks).But you want to do all you can to take preventative measures at work – keeping you away from the osteopath or chiropractor. In the modern workplace, that’s not always possible The body can tolerate being in one position for only a short period of time before you feel the need to adjust

Shoulder Rides

It’s classic family fun: A parent walking along with a delighted child enjoying a shoulder ride. But lifting kids overhead is a common source of neck and shoulder pain.

Stress

The most common is simply muscle tension. Anxiety can drastically increase muscle tension, which in turn increases pain. Since the back contains a variety of muscles that are known to tense during stress, this can lead to mild to severe back pain in both the upper and lower back.

 

While there are many reasons for Back Pain, prevention and cure is surprisingly simpler. Read more on https://blueterra.in/back-pain-can-happen-anyone-can-massage-prevent/ or apply at home https://www.bluenectar.co.in/ayurvedic-herbal-back-pain-and-joint-strengthening-oil.html for immediate relief

 

Can Acupressure techniques reach where medicines cannot?

Though we say that there is no such alternative to medicines but in some cases, we can find few. And that few other methods are Alternative Medicine or Alternative Healing.

Here we will be talking about an old yet an uncommon technique of dealing with various bodily issues and that is Acupressure. This is the one of the many alternative to medical treatment.

Acupressure is mainly based on the concept of life energy which flows through the meridians in the body.  In this treatment, the physical pressure is applied to the various acupuncture points to clear the blockages in the meridians.  The pressure can be given by hand or by the elbows or with other devices.

Acupressure
Acupressure as an alternative method of healing

Acupressure can be effective if done in a proper way.  A medical research has suggested that this process is effective to deal with nausea and vomiting, lower back pain, headaches, stomach ache and various other bodily issues.

Though medicines work like magic but this particular technique can be highly effective and can even give better results at the end.

This particular method is applied by various ways like rubbing, rolling or applying pressure on the various acupressure points.  This particular pressure if gets applied gives relieve from various muscle and joint pains by releasing the nodules in the affected area.

Hand Reflexology
Pressure points on Hands

Benefits of Acupressure

Acupressure has several advantages on our bodies because of which many people prefer this particular method of massage.

  • Helps to reduce muscle tension– It is widely used to reduce muscle tension in the body.  Acupressure is more like a body massage which is done to get relief from various pain It also helps in blood circulation.
  • Helps people to get calm– It also helps to make people cool down after excess aggression.  In this way, the mind works better.
  • It also helps to reduce the need for OTC Drugs– People do not have to use OTC drugs for headaches, cold and various other a The process of acupressure helps to heal every such ailment.  It helps people to get less dependent on medicine for these issues.

There is a particular method by which acupressure works.  It is more like a message therapy but gives better comfort to the body.

Technique of Acupressure

The acupressure practitioners use fingers, palms and elbows to apply pressure on the different body meridians.   It also involves stretching like the way it is done in massage for joints.

Elbows are used for applying pressure
Technique of Acupressure

During acupressure a person lies down on a soft massage table. Then the practitioner slowly presses on the acupressure points on the body.  This therapy is done for at least an hour to make a person feel better. This should be practiced for one week to get an effective result.

Pain relief Massage

Acupressure can also be called as a massage for pain relief.   Any kind of bodily pain can be easily dealt by acupressure.  Apart from pain this particular exercise also helps the mind to get free from excess stress and tension.

Deep tissue massage is another important therapy which people undergoes during chronic muscle tension.  In this massage the focus remains more on the deepest layers of the muscle tissue, tendons and fascia.  This therapy is very much similar to Swedish massage but with the higher intensity of pressure.

Massage therapy is very important for anyone and everyone at certain point of time.  Though there are medicines for several back pains or neck pains but a proper massage like acupressure can heal out the pain in a much efficient way.

Though we know that it is highly productive for various body pains yet it is important to know that during certain situations it is better not to perform acupressure.

Pressure points on Feet
Foot Reflexology

Avoid Acupressure in following situations

During the time of pregnancy– It is definitely not at all feasible to undergo acupressure during pregnancy.  This may lead to miscarriage. A mother should never undergo acupressure during pregnancy.  A light oil massage is preferable if the pain gets too much.

People with fractured bone should never try acupressure to get relief from pain.  Applying pressure on the fractured bones may lead to more damage.

Acupressure is indeed the most vital healing process for pains and muscle tension.
It sometimes works much better than the medicine.
But sometimes it may take longer time to heal the pain. 
All the pressure points take more than five to ten minutes to get stimulated on the body.
This method is one of the most effective technique for Body Pain.

Nevertheless this method of massage is the most effective one for every body pain.  Quite often people undergo this method to get a proper result.

It is recommended to all that if body pain and muscle pull are really making you suffer a lot then don’t just depend on medicine but take the help of acupressure healing technique. It is natural, better and effective.

Back Pain can happen to anyone but can massage prevent it?

Back pain is experienced by almost all of us at some stage of our lives. Sometimes it becomes extremely unbearable that it starts restricting our day to day lives.

Why does Back Pain happen?

Here are some of the most common factors that give you an achy back-

Stress

Your body is flooded with cortisol hormone when stress overwhelms your nervous system; cortisol causes tension in your back, shoulder and neck area which can lead to pain and spasms.

Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, muscle relaxation, meditation, yoga or a simple de-stress massage can help ease these problems. The relaxation massage puts the brakes on stress and anxiety by quieting the mind and relaxing the body.

Your fashionable high-heel shoes

Your fashionable high-heel shoes may also be a reason for your back pain. High heel shoes put your feet into unnatural position every time you step; you lean forward to walk which in turn puts more strain and stress on the lower back.

Fashionable High Heel Shoes could cause Back Pain

To get rid of this type of back pain you should choose comfortable cushioned shoes which can keep your feet and lower back happy all day long. A gentle massage using some herbal pain relief oil will give you quick relief from the pain you are experiencing in your feet as well as in lower back region.

High fat diet

According to a study published in the Asian Spine Journal 2014, 30% women and 25 % men suffering from back pain also had some or the other kind of gastrointestinal problems like stomach pain and food allergies. Scientists claim that there is a relationship between the food we consume and inflammation. High fat and high sugar food causes inflammation in the body especially in back and joints.

So if you want to see some improvement in your back pain and other types of body pains like joints pain etc, you should cut down the high fat and high sugar food from your diet.

Obesity

Those extra pounds on your body might be causing a constant pressure on your spine and the muscles supporting it. Excess weight can aggravate your back pain; it has been observed that overweight people are usually at higher risk for fatigue, back pain, joints pain and muscle pain than others. If you carry extra body fat especially around your middle-section of body, you should take steps to remove those extra pounds in order to get a permanent solution for your achy back.

Obesity

Your desk job

At the molecular level, our body is designed for regular movement, but unfortunately most of us spend whole day sitting down at work. This causes tightening of the muscles and we get muscle stiffness, neck and back pain.

Back Pain
Desk Job causes Back Pain

Stretching your body every now and then and walking for few minutes might help you get quick and short-term relief from pain and stiffness. Take regular massage from a therapist, it will help your muscles to get relaxed and soothed; moreover a regular massage routine will also promote correct posture, and prevent desk job pains and stiffness.

Poorly designed mattress and improper sleeping positions

If you wake up each morning with an achy back but the pain goes away with slight stretching then it may be an indication that the mattress is poorly-designed or not suitable for your body.

Remember that you spend 7-8 hours every day on that mattress, choose a mattress that can give you better sleep and less pain, instead of being economical and buying an unsuitable one.

Many times, back pain is also caused by our sleep positions. If your natural sleeping position is making the back pain worse then try using soft pillows for extra support.

Apart from these factors, several medical conditions may also cause pain in back, neck and shoulder areas; a slipped (prolapsed) disc, sciatica and spondylitis are few to name.

HOW DOES MASSAGE HELP TREAT BACK PAIN?

Massage as a treatment for Back Pain

Good circulation is very important for a healthy body and massage is one of the best ways to increase the blood circulation throughout the body. Be it muscle tension, neck, back or shoulder pain, one can simply rely on massage therapies. Reasonably firm massage strokes improve the circulation and help in supplying oxygen and nutrients to the muscles. Regular massage therapy supports flexibility and movements. Regular massage sessions help lubricate spinal joints and improve overall spinal health.

Back Pain Massage
Massage as a treatment for Back Pain

Sedentary life style, obesity and wrong posture often causes tension in lower back region; massage can give astonishing results in the treatment of chronic back pain by reducing tension and strain in lower back.

There are so many types of massage therapies that are specifically designed for back pain treatment. However a combination of Swedish massage and deep tissue massage is mostly used by professional massage therapists. A variety of strokes like pounding, tapping and kneading are used to ease the muscle knots and improve circulation.

In back massage techniques, the main focus is mostly on increasing the circulation in the congested area; moreover, improved lymphatic drainage due to better circulation help release the toxic waste from your body. A qualified therapist with full awareness about the muscular system can give you right pressure on right area. After applying the warm oils evenly on your body with long flowing strokes, the therapist uses the whole surface of her hands and stroke firmly upwards from the lower back to the neck and shoulder region. Oil is used to reduce the friction on the skin and prevent the pulling of hair. For more details, read https://blueterra.in/pain-management

Different types of massage treatments for back pain

After carefully accessing your back problem, an experienced massage therapist will advice you one specific type of massage or a combination of massage techniques. Some of the most commonly used massage therapies for back pain are-

Balinese Therapy – Most popular because it is effective is Balinese Therapy in case of Back Pain. Most of doctors or physiotherapist will advise backward bending of back to get relief from Back Pain. Balinese Therapy starts with exactly that – stretching of body to relieve stiffness. Stretching is followed by full body deep tissue holistic treatment that combines acupressure, reflexology, stretching and aromatherapy to stimulate circulation, ease muscular/ joint pain and help in sports injuries and migraine. If you want to go with tried and tested, Balinese Therapy for Back Pain shall be your choice.

Back & Body Therapy – It is one of the unique therapies to Blue Terra Wellness Spa that is not available anywhere else. Screening and combining some of the most effective treatments for Back Pain, Back & Body Therapy consists of Full Body Oil Massage followed by Ayurvedic Potli massage on affected area. Potli massage has been treatment of choice of Ayurvedic practitioners for years. Back & Body Therapy is potent combination of Ayurvedic Potli for Back Pain and full body Oil massage for relaxation and relief from Back Pain.

Swedish Massage– This is a gentle and light massage technique which is mostly used to relax the entire body. Swedish massage is extremely helpful in flushing away toxic wastes and improving blood circulation.

Massage treatment for BackPain
Swedish Massage

Deep Tissue Massage – This type of massage helps in the healing and recovering from sports injuries; this therapy can also be helpful in easing muscle pain and stress. With improved flow of nutrients and oxygen, it automatically helps in reducing back pain.

Hot Stone Massage – This therapy helps in relieving muscle tension and eliminating harmful substances clogged in the muscles. The smooth, water-heated stones increase the blood flow and alleviate body pain. This therapy is highly beneficial in reducing muscle spasm. People who suffer from back pain or muscle pain are often advised to get this therapy.

 

Hot Stone Massage
Hot Stone Massage is an effective treatment for Back Pain

 

Even if you dont find time to visit a good Spa, you could do a simple massage at home with a good Ayurvedic Back Pain and Joint Strengthening Oil https://www.bluenectar.co.in/ayurvedic-herbal-back-pain-and-joint-strengthening-oil.html

 

Natural ways for Back Pain Treatment

Pain is said to be caused by the interaction between the sensory nerves and our feelings and memories, sometimes even beliefs. The feeling of pain is crucial because that way the person can adopt precautionary measures to prevent it and also be aware of relieving pain. However, sometimes, pain can be stubborn.

Certain types of pain are experienced by everybody at various points of their life. Back pain is one of them. Unfortunately, a large number of people experience back pain. It could range from being mild to serious to chronic. If you experience any kind of serious back problems, a visit to the doctor is a must. It should be a preferable option than waiting for it out to subside on its own or taking matters in own hands.

Pain is a sensory feeling that humans have experienced ever since they came into being. With the advent of science and technology, we have been successful in handling various health problems. Be it major or minor, most of the pain can be relieved using pain relieving sprays, pills, gels and even massage gadgets. It is surprising, that most of us don’t know that there are numerous natural remedies to heal pain, all free of cost.

However, before everything else, you must know the underlying cause of back pain so that you can have a clear idea of what you are experiencing and thus determine if professional medical aid is required or not.

CAUSES OF BACK PAIN

 

CAUSES OF BACK PAIN OFTEN IGNORED

Like everything else, back pain also has certain causes and types. Some are caused by normal circumstances and can be healed naturally at home where as some can be severe and should not be ignored at all costs. Here is a list of common causes of back pain:-

  • Accidents: Accidents occur all the time. They surely can be prevented, but sometimes things don’t go your way and every time you cannot be blamed. Back pain is commonly associated with accidents and can either be mild or severe depending on its graveness.
  • Sport injuries: Playing sports is one of the best exercises. It is a common activity that people of almost all ages engage in. However, sports can also lead to injuries which could cause back pain.
  • Poor posture: Bad posture plays a major role in causing back problems. Poor sitting and standing habits leads to muscle tension in spine. Slouching in a chair, sticking your bottom out, standing with a flat back, rounded shoulders, standing with tummy out, are few of the instances of wrong posture, which could result in back problem.

 

Poor Posture due to Desk Job

  • Obesity:

    One of the leading causes of back pain is obesity. Obese and overweight people have lower back problems more than non-overweight people. This happens as the excess weight on tummy pulls the pelvis forward, straining the lower back and hence causing lower back pain. According to the American Obesity Association, women who are obese or who have a large waist size are particularly at risk for lower back pain.

  • Osteoporosis:

    Osteoporosis is a bone disease which leads to bone density loss. This is one of the graver causes of back problems and even chronic pain. A professional medical help is definitely needed in such a case.

  • Sedentary lifestyle:

    A sedentary lifestyle is surely not an acceptable one. Prolonged sitting and poor posturing due to a sedentary life is one of the causes of chronic back pain, neck pain, muscle pain and in some cases also might lead to Cervical Spondylosis.

More tips to get relief from chronic pain could be found in http://www.blueterra.in/contemporary-ayurved/contemporary-ayurved10-daily-habits-for-reducing-chronic-pain/

PREVENTION OF BACK PAIN

Prevention is better than cure. Even though Back pain is something that almost everybody experiences in life, we can still prevent it. Mild back pain is harmless, but ignoring it and letting it grow could lead to seriouschronic back problem. Hence, better safe than sorry, because, why not? Here is a list on How to prevent back pain from causing problems in your daily life:-

Exercise and Yoga:

Being physically active and exercising everyday in your life not only keeps your muscles healthy and active but also strengthens the spine, thereby reducing the chances of experiencing back pain every now and then. If you happen to have chronic back pain, it can even act as a cure. Yoga is also effective because it improves bodily function.

 

Cobra Pose in Yoga strengthens back

  • Maintain good food habits:

    Eating right keeps your weight in check, your digestive tracks functioning properly and in turn maintains your spine. We should eat a balanced diet, which ensures proper nourishment for our muscles, tissues, tendons and bones. A good diet should take care of our Calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Iron, Magnesium and other Vitamins requirement.

 

Good food habits is a solution to many problems

  • Sleep on your sides:

    Sleeping on sides is the best position for sleeping. Ensure to draw your legs slightly towards your chest and keep a pillow between your legs. Sleeping in this position takes away the stress from the back than while sleeping flat on your back. A pillow supporting your head while you sleep is also important as it reduces stress and keeps you comfortable hence preventing back and neck problems.

  • Maintaining a good posture:

    A sedentary lifestyle is one of the major cause of bad posture. Avoid slouching over your computer and work at a proper and comfortable workstation both at office and also at home. Do stretching exercises between long intervals of work hours.

  • Reduce Stress:

    You will be surprised to know that stress also has a negative impact on your back causing back problems often. It tenses up your muscles leading to back pain. Major stress busters include Yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, body massage and the like.

 

De-stress and relax

CURE FOR BACK PAIN:

Almost every ailment has a cure. A common health problem such as back pain has innumerable cures likebody massage, most of which can be acquired without medical assistance as well. We tend to depend on technology and science so much that we don’t give a damn about simple home remedies or natural ways to cure back pain. We forget that there are many simple and natural ways to get rid of back pain. Here are a few natural remedies which might help reduce back pain:-

  • Yoga and stretching:

    Yoga, undoubtedly is one of the most effective treatment for back pain and could work better than medical treatments. Various studies have found out that stretching, like yoga, also helps to loosen tense and tight muscles, cures muscle stiffness and is a good natural pain reliever.

  • Massage:

    Getting a massage on a weekly basis is a good stress buster and reduces muscle and back pain. Ayurvedic Potli massage also help alleviate pain that results from diseases like spondylosis and osteoarthritis. It provides an instant relief from back pain. More details on how Massage could help for Back Pain treatment could be found in http://www.blueterra.in/contemporary-ayurved/joint-and-back-pain-relief-with-back-body-therapy/

  •  

    Massage acts as a quick pain reliever

  • Acupuncture:

    Just like back massage, acupuncture is also a great way to relieve stress. It is extremely effective and relaxing, even if the idea of needles being inserted in your skin might disturb you.

  • Pilates:

    If you are experiencing back pain, under no circumstance should you give up on exercise. Keep yourself moving. Pilates strengthens our core, which takes away the load from our back. Pilates is all about controlled breathing and a strong core.

     

    Pilates Strengthens Back and Core

Pain is most likely unavoidable. We humans experience it in our day to day lives. However, there are many ways to cure them and lead a healthier and happy life, as the saying goes, “Where there is a will, there is a way”. Keeping yourself a step ahead is also a good way to go. For instance, using Pain Oil for body massage instead of regular oil or trying out different activities like aquatic therapy, tai chi etc . The point to note is – Be on your feet and keep moving.

Joint and Back Pain Relief With Back & Body Therapy

Back & Body Therapy for relief from Back Pain, Joint Pain and Knee Pain

If you’ve ever groaned, “Oh, my aching back!”, you are not alone. Back and Joint pain is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor or miss work and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Back and Joint pain is one of the most common medical problems, affecting 8 out of 10 people at some point during their lives.

 

Most back pain goes away on its own, though it may take awhile. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and resting can help but it has its own side effects. Contrary to popular belief, staying in bed for more than 1 or 2 days could make it worse.

There are lots of symptoms which if not treated at the right time could aggravate the problem and may cause irreparable body damage. You must see a doctor if any of the below symptoms persists:

  • Stiffness in Neck, Shoulder or Back
  • Radiating pain in arms or legs
  • Pain or stiffness in muscles after hectic week
  • Recurring symptoms with aggravated lower or upper back pain at higher frequency

Back & Body Therapy

Rushing to a doctor for minor niggle is not a practical solution. There are home remedies or intermediate steps that could actually provide a longer lasting relief than visit to doctor. Spa treatments or Massage therapies is a hidden jewel benefits of which are relatively unknown. Spa treatments helps in following manner:

  1. Lot of Back & Joint pain is manifestation of stress. Stress at work/personal life may cause muscle stiffness/spasm which may result in Back pain/Joint Pain. Massage directly works to reduce stress level and hence providing relief from Back & Joint Pain
  2. Massage provides much needed ‘me’ time. This is one time when you are away from your PC, smart phone, or Social media. Spa time is much needed Switch off time from everybody else and system around you
  3. Apart from Massage therapies, Ayurvedic Potli is a tried and tested method for pain alleviation and treatment for over 100 years.

At Blue Terra Spa & Wellness Center, our Spa doctors have fused massage therapy and Potli therapy to develop Back & Body Therapy. Back & Body Therapy has given excellent results with a success rate of more than 80% and has been successfully delivered to over 10000 guests with great results. This therapy has been used for treatment for back pain and other joint aches.

While Oil massage decreases tension in muscles and improves blood circulation, warm Ayurvedic Potli opens pores and works on affected area allowing the carefully selected herbs to work on the body and mind. It relieves relieving deep seated tension, increasing circulation, loosen toxins, strengthening muscle tissue and ridding the body of excess Kapha.

Along with relieving back/joint pain, receiving Oil massage on a regular basis helps keep all your joints limber, which reduces your chances of pulling a muscle. It also improves your posture and flexibility, increases range of motion, lowers blood pressure and heart rate,encourages relaxation and relieves stress. Similar relief from Back Pain could be done at home itself by massaging with back Pain Oil (https://www.bluenectar.co.in/ayurvedic-herbal-back-pain-and-joint-strengthening-oil.html)