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Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems Stories

Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems

A Review in The Lancet reveals the importance of healthy lifestyle choices to reduce stressors related to cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers from John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore examined records between 1990 to 2006. They observed how stress affects the sympathetic nervous system, impacts physiology, and the effect it has on the cardiovascular system. Lead author, Daniel Brotman, claims "Acute physical stressors such as sugery, trauma, and intense physical exertion are well known triggers of cardiovascular events. Emotional stressors are increasingly recognized as precipitants of such events." (Read more about Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems)

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Rapid Rise in

Rapid Rise in "Complementary" Medical Services

Have you been to a practitioner besides your family physician? Whether chiropractic care, acupuncture, yoga or homeopathy, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has become increasingly common in the United States, and 72% of adults use some form of CAM therapies according to the US National Centers for Disease Control and US National Center for Health Statistics.

A recent cover story in The New York Times Magazine highlighted how chronic pain tends to be under treated because doctors worry about over prescribing medications, and being liable for malpractice or even criminal penalties. Many doctors fear entering the field of pain management at all. Many patients are also concerned about becoming dependant on medication or about the invasiveness and dangers of surgery and anesthesia. CAM therapies, which are able to treat pain and help manage diseases without medication or surgery, are rapidly growing services as people search out better, safer approaches.

So how effective are Complementary and Alternative Medicine therapies? (Read more about Rapid Rise in "Complementary" Medical Services)

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An Alternative to Back Surgery Is Waiting Stories

An Alternative to Back Surgery Is Waiting

Though back surgery may provide relief, studies reveal waiting may be best alternative.

Several studies show that although back surgery may be effective for those suffering from a slipped or misaligned disk, it may not be necessary. Around 1.5 million back surgeries are performed worldwide to relieve spinal nerve pressure that causes sciatica. This condition is extremely painful and can affect daily activities and overall quality of life for those afflicted. However, researchers say that 75% of these cases will improve over time without medical attention. (Read more about An Alternative to Back Surgery Is Waiting)

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Spine Force Machine for Herniated Discs Stories

Spine Force Machine for Herniated Discs

The Spine Force machine is the only device capable of stimulating the deep muscles of the spine.

A groundbreaking device called the Spine Force has the potential to transform how we care for the muscles and structures in the lower back. LPG
Systems is a France based company that has developed this machine to stimulate the deep connective tissue within the spine that can break down with sedentary lifestyle habits. With the advent of the Spine Force, health practitioners who specialize in treating spinal diseases and disorders may now have a resource to ensure that patients don't have recurring spinal problems. (Read more about Spine Force Machine for Herniated Discs)

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Heavy Hand Bags and Back Pain Stories

Heavy Hand Bags and Back Pain

So have you noticed a fashion trend lately?

No, we’re not talking about shoes or hair styles; the discussion is on accessories--specifically, hand bags.

They’re getting bigger and bigger.

Is that causing women to suffer more aches and pains?

When we’re talking fashion, usually we’re talking about high heels and how they’re bad for the feet and the posture; but this is a lot like the issue of backpacks--what you’re carrying in your dior could be putting too much strain on your back and spine.

Still, it’s not hard to find folks who are sore from all that schlepping.

“My shoulder hurts a lot at the end of the day,” says Rosa.

Celia adds, “All the time, right now my left shoulder is killing me, I think over stuffing the bags, you don’t know if you should bring two small ones or one large one and no matter how you work it you put to much in them.” (Read more about Heavy Hand Bags and Back Pain)

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Back Pain Stories

Back Pain

There's a good chance you or someone you care about has suffered with back pain that lasts a long time.

Back pain is the second leading symptom seen by doctors in the United States.

Now, one might think a powerful group of pain medicines can help relieve the agony.

But it appears, their effectiveness, at least with back pain, might be overblown.

Chronic back pain--meaning, pain that lasts more than three months--is reported in 19 percent of working adults. That's one in five!

Thambal Yima will tell you first hand how debilitating it can be. She suffered five herniated discs, and two fractures a couple of years ago. “I went through all kinds of medical treatments. I was in so much pain to get up on the examination table I would scream.”

She came in in intractable pain, certainly, sounding like someone, if there was someone, who would benefit from opioid pain medicines…drugs in the morphine family.

These are drugs like fentanyl, percocet, oxycontin, and vicodin. They are powerful pain killers. But according to new research in the annals of internal medicine, the difference in pain relief between these medicines and placebo was not significantly different long term, believe it or not. (Read more about Back Pain)

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Health Wrap - Reports on Calcium, Lawn Moving Accidents, Herbs for lower back pain Stories

Health Wrap - Reports on Calcium, Lawn Moving Accidents, Herbs for lower back pain

A new review of medical literature in the highly regarded Cochrane Library surprisingly casts doubt on the value of supplements and calcium-fortified foods to build stronger bones in kids!

The review shows that supplementing the diet with calcium in healthy children has little benefit for bone health.

They say in the long run, bone mass didn’t improve much.

Pediatricians and parents are concerned with calcium intake because they want to ensure that boys and girls achieve peak bone strength in childhood, a time when kids build bone at an accelerated pace. (Read more about Health Wrap - Reports on Calcium, Lawn Moving Accidents, Herbs for lower back pain)

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CORE STRENGTHENING AND BACK PAIN Stories

CORE STRENGTHENING AND BACK PAIN

As a youngster, Angela Benvenuto had a diving accident which severely damaged her spine. Her vertebrae became compressed in several different places.
“I was writhing in pain for years and it was my chiropractor who suggested yoga would be helpful and when I went to yoga class, it was the first time I was without pain in many years and I became addicted.” (Read more about CORE STRENGTHENING AND BACK PAIN)

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BACK PAIN SURGERY Stories

BACK PAIN SURGERY

Joyce Hamrah regularly travels to Paris and Milan hunting down the latest fashions for her high-end clothing store. But, last year, excruciating back pain left Joyce completely incapacitated. Not only was she unable to fly, she could barely walk. “It’s like somebody sticking a knife in your back and then they start twisting it and then they start bringing it down one leg and then the other leg,” says Joyce. (Read more about BACK PAIN SURGERY)

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