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The 10 Most FILLING Healthy Foods

 

Filling Healthy Foods

Enjoy a filling, healthy meal without the guilt!

If you’re trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, finding the right kind of foods to eat is essential. Many dieters have discovered that a diet of the most filling foods can help them eat less.

Are you struggling to reach your weight loss goal? Can a diet of the most filling foods help? Yes, but remember, filling doesn’t necessarily mean healthy. Your diet should focus on the most filling healthy foods.

  • Fiber rich foods are a good choice because they make you feel full on less volume, preventing you from overeating.
  • Foods rich in protein are another good choice. Protein provides staying power by helping keep blood sugar levels from spiking too high or falling too low between meals.
  • Include the healthiest fats such as avocado, nuts, olive oil, and fatty fish like salmon and sardines to give you a feeling of fullness.
  • The chemical compound of foods can determine how satisfying they are. Beans and lentils contain anti-nutrients which delay their absorption and make you feel full longer.
  • Foods naturally rich in water can also make you feel full also, but for a shorter period of time.

Some of the most filling foods include sweets and bad fats … but of course try to SKIP them. Instead, choose from among these filling healthy foods during and between meals to help keep you full throughout the day.

#1:  Eggs – Start your day with eggs. Studies show that eating eggs for breakfast can help in your weight battle. Women who ate eggs for breakfast lost more weight than those who had bagels with the same number of calories. The protein will keep your hunger in check and provide lots of energy.

#2:  BerriesGet more staying power. Berries are some of the highest fiber fruits around. One cup of raspberries has 8 grams of fiber, twice what you’d get in an apple, for only 65 calories (a medium apple has 95 calories and only 4.4 grams of fiber). Frozen berries are available year round, so add them to protein shakes or yogurt for a filling meal or snack.

#3:  Vegetable soup – Start your meal with soup. Vegetable soup is low in calories, broth-based and full of high-fiber foods. You’ll be satisfied with a smaller portion of your main meal. Homemade soups are great to make when you have time, then freeze for a quick meal when you need it.

#4:  Whole Fruits Whole fruit is a tasty and filling healthy food. They’re high in fiber, which contributes to fullness. Especially juicy fruits such as watermelons, peaches, and grapes also have high water content, which gives you a feeling of fullness. Plus, most whole fruits are loaded with vitamins and minerals.

#5:  Fish –  Fish is one of the most concentrated sources of protein and is healthy in so many respects. Unfortunately fish today can be highly contaminated with toxins, so be sure to choose a safe fish to eat.

#6:  Black Beans – Toss them into a soup or salad. Beans are high in fiber and are another good source of protein. A half-cup of black beans will give you about 8 grams of protein along with 8 grams of fiber. Don’t overlook navy, pinto, and kidney beans, which are all healthy, filling and satisfying as well.

 #7:  Broccoli Load up. Vegetables are filling foods because they’re full of calorie-free fiber and water. Broccoli is one of the highest fiber vegetables. One cup of chopped cooked broccoli has 6 grams of fiber and only 50 calories, making broccoli a terrific hunger-busting food. Other vegetables to incorporate into your diet include kale, spinach, dark green lettuces, mushrooms, and carrots.

#8:  Oats – Avoid feeling famished. Oatmeal for breakfast provides enough energy to last until lunch. Oats are one of the most filling natural foods due to their fiber content. More importantly for feeling full, they are rich in soluble fiber, a type of fiber that absorbs water and expands in your stomach.

#9:  Nuts – Go crazy for nuts. A handful of nuts or seeds between meals are a great way to keep hunger pangs away. Nuts are high in protein and provide healthy fats. Both protein and fats contribute to fullness because your body processes them slowly. An ounce of nuts a day can help keep you feeling satisfied.

#10:  Quinoa – Try this high protein grain. Quinoa stands out among grains because it has more protein than most grains, about 8 grams per cup. Grains are great filling foods because they are loaded with fiber. Barley and bulgur are also great choices, with 31.2g and 25.6g of fiber per serving respectively.

The Best Healthy Filling Foods for Losing Weight

A diet full of filling healthy foods is the perfect start to cutting calories and losing weight. So, reach for those foods rich in protein, fiber, omega-3 fats, and a healthy supply of water and you’re well on your way.

Now if you want the very best results for losing weight, you should also take the next step: include foods that cause accelerated fat burning in your body and exclude foods that prevent fat burning.

That’s why I like Isabel De Los Rios’ program, The Diet Solution. She helps you put healthy foods together that both keep you full and supercharges your fat burning process. In fact, it can help you burn off 10% of your unwanted body fat in just 30 days… and continue working until you finally get the slim body you’ve always wanted.

Besides that, The Diet Solution will…

  • Put your metabolism on fat burning auto pilot.
  • Show you exactly how much to eat … with no calorie counting.
  • Teach you the best carbs to eat for fat loss.
  • Use real, delicious and healthy foods for maximum fat loss results.

If you’re tired of going hungry, sick of eating boring diet food, and want a fat loss strategy that finally keeps you motivated, The Diet Solution is what you’ve been waiting for.

Try the Diet Solution Today!

 

Posted in Healthy Eating, New, Nutrition | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

8 Health Warnings Your Fingernails May Be Sending

 

Healthy Fingernails

Are your fingernails healthy, or sending you a health warning?

Fingernails and disease don’t go together in most minds… but they should. Your fingernails can give you valuable health warnings and signal the presence of serious disease.

Take a good long look at your nails. Hold a hand level with your nose about a foot out from your face and scrutinize each one.

Look at the curves, dips, ridges, and grooves. Check out how thick or thin they are and if your nails are chipped or broken. Make a note of the color of the nail itself, the skin under it, and the skin around the nail.

Check your memory – have your nails always looked like this? Changes to your fingernails and disease onset are linked, so note any new developments. With this fresh view, compare what you see with this list of eight potential fingernail health warnings.

 1. Discolored nails

A healthy fingernail should be pink with a touch of pinkish white (moons) near the base. If your nails are a dull color or streaked with other colors, you may have a serious hidden health problem.

  • Green nails are a sign of bacterial infection
  • Red streaks in your nail bed are a warning of a heart valve infection
  • Blueish nails signal low oxygen levels in your blood
  • Dull nails mean a vitamin deficiency
  • White nails may signal liver disease, such as hepatitis
  • Dark stripes at the top (Terry’s nails) are associated with aging and congestive heart failure

Scrub those nails clean and really look at your nail color! Given the “rainbow” of potential health challenges, you want to be sure you see what your fingers are saying.

2. Thick nails

Thick nails are not natural. You want your nails to be strong, but if they resemble talons or claws more than traditional nails watch out!

  • Thickened nails that are otherwise normal can signal lung disease
  • Thick and rough-textured nails can signal a fungal infection
  • Thick and separated nails may mean thyroid disease or psoriasis
  • Unusual thickness may also be a symptom of a circulation problem

Thickening nails are a change that should tune you in to other health symptoms you may be ignoring. Also watch out for allergic reactions to new medications which can show up as suddenly thick nails!

3. Split nails

Split nails aren’t just occasionally chipped or shut in doors. Instead, these nails seem to flake away in layers. Don’t blame frequent handwashing or nail polish for everything, especially since:

  • Split nails result from folic acid, Vitamin C, and protein deficiencies
  • Split nails combined with a pitted nail bed (base) can signal psoriasis, which begins in nails 10% of the time according to WebMD
  • Split nails may result from chronic malnutrition

Watch what you eat and check the psoriasis connection to fight back and pay more attention to your health overall.

4.Concave (Spoon) nails

Spoon fingernails signal a number of internal issues. To be considered full spoons, nails will be soft and curve up, forming a dip that is often big enough to hold water. Spoon nails signal:

  • Iron deficiency (usually from anemia)
  • Hemachromatosis, a liver disorder where your body absorbs too much iron
  • Heart disease
  • Hypothyroidism

Your fingernail and health challenges go hand in hand – for many people, clearing up their health issue results in their spoon nails returning back to normal.

5. Pitted nails

Small dips or holes in your nails can be a result of banging up your hands – or they could be a sign that you need to look more closely at your health. Nail pitting can signal:

  • Psoriasis
  • Connective tissue disorder
  • Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss
  • Zinc deficiency (when the pit seems to form a line across the middle of your nail)

Watch your hand to separate natural dents and dings from real, lasting pits. The first will clear up quickly, but pits linked to disease linger.

6. Ridges

Nails should have smooth surfaces with almost imperceptible lines. Obvious ridge lines are a signal that something is up with your body. Some of the most common conditions associated with heavy ridge lines are:

  • Iron deficiency
  • Inflammatory arthritis
  • Lupus (for red lines at the base of your nails)

Don’t just buff away your ridges – hear their warning!

7. Dry, brittle nails

You don’t need lotion or cuticle oil. If your nails are dry and brittle, you should check your hormone levels and bacterial health.

  • Thyroid disease leads to brittle, dry fingernails that crack and split easily
  • Fungus can make nails dry or even crumbly, affecting 12% of all Americans according to the American Academy of Dermatology

Both thyroid and fungal issues take time to treat, so you won’t see a difference in the look of your fingernails for a full growth cycle.

8. Clubbed nails

If you have plump skin that seems to swell around the nail, or if your nails seem to have puffed around your fingers, they are said to be “clubbed”. Clubbed nails can mean:

  • Lung disease, especially if you already have trouble breathing
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Liver disease
  • AIDS

Your fingernails won’t be the only signs of these diseases, but they can provide confirmation or motivation to seek medical care.

Don’t ignore your hands or the health warnings they send. Fingernails and disease are more closely related than you think – check your nails often to protect your health!

If You Thought Your Fingernails Had Something Important to Say…

You’ll Be Amazed By These 6 BLOOD TESTS
That May Save Your Life … Click Here Now!

 

References

Trimarchi, M. Top 5 Things Your Nails Say About Your Health. Discovery Health.

Mayo Clinic. Slide Show: 7 Fingernail Problems Not to Ignore. 2011 Dec 8.

Rauh, S. Healthy Fingernails: Clues About Your Health. WebMD.

Danoff, R. Can Fingernails Indicate a Health Problem? MSN Health.

Wikipedia. Nail Disease.

Posted in General Health, New | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Massage Rollers – The Top Recommended & Why

Lower Back Massage Roller
Massage rollers are an
inexpensive back pain solution

Massage rollers are inexpensive, effective tools that reduce muscle pain.

They’re also the ultimate “sleeper product” when it comes to massage for back pain.

Marketing for other forms of massage therapy abound. A glamorous trip to the day spa, hours under the care of a qualified local therapist, massage chairs, massage cushions, and even home massage machines are promoted more than rollers.

Body builders, elite athletes, and CEOs around the world swear by the effectiveness of massage for relieving aches, pains, and stress. But with a quality massage roller you can enjoy the benefits of massage for life – at a tiny fraction of the price.

Today I’ll share exactly what a massage roller is, what you should look for in one, and offer my recommendation for the best massage roller we’ve tested yet at the Healthy Back Institute.

What is a massage roller?

Massage rollers look like oversized foam-covered tubes. They come in smooth or bumpy textures and need to be strong enough to work with your body weight when used as back massage rollers and large muscle massagers.

The technology behind massage rollers is simple. By moving your body back and forth over the roller, you put your own weight to work as pressure to loosen up tight muscles and treat myofascial tension. The effect is similar to a kneading or deep tissue massage, but you’re in complete control since you control your body movements while using the roller.

Why use a massage roller?

“It helps stiff muscles relax and breaks down scar tissue, and improves your range of motion,” Mike Robertson, M.S., C.S.C.S., co-owner of Indianapolis Fitness and Sports Training told Men’s Health.

Research backs that up too. One recent study published in the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork found using massage rollers for self-care increases healing and mobility while reducing pain in patients who have undergone ACL or knee replacement surgery.

Of course, one of the best reasons to use massage rollers for pain relief is you’re not taking drugs, so you don’t have to deal with dangerous drug side effects. In fact, the #1 side effect of massage rollers is a little muscle soreness – the same soreness you’d get after an intense massage session from a practitioner skilled in myofascial release.

Massage rollers can be very time effective treatments for pain, too. A session with a massage roller might last two or three minutes. That’s it. You feel the results fast because you target one specific area at a time. As a result, back massage rollers can provide pain relief in under 5 minutes vs. 60 minutes or more for a traditional massage with a therapist. You can loosen up tight hamstrings, quads, calves and even your IT Band in minutes after a long day, or start your morning with a massage treat to loosen up your major muscle groups.

For many pain sufferers, one of the key reasons to go with a massage roller is cost. Massage rollers are a one-time investment in unlimited self-care – as opposed to paying over and over to see a chiropractor, physical therapist, or massage therapist. Thousands of dollars vs. less than $100 for a great at-home experience that will last for years? That’s an easy choice for many.

How to use a massage roller

Using a massage roller is simple – you’ll figure it out in under a minute on your own, but here’s my “official” set of general instructions:

  • Choose the part of your body you want to massage
  • Place the massager under that body part
  • Roll your body over the massager along those muscles, using your body weight to break up muscle pain
  • Drink a glass of water to help flush away the trapped toxins that come out of your muscles when you break up muscle knots and stimulate your natural circulation with the massage

What to look for in a good massage roller

A good massage roller can be a life-long friend for your muscles … if you choose correctly. You want to be sure you get a massager made from the sturdy materials and molded into the right shape to give you the best results.

Massage rollers are inexpensive, but if you buy a super-cheap model that falls apart or loses its shape after a handful of uses, you’re not really getting much value from your investment. That’s probably the #1 complaint about massage rollers – and they’re usually from customers who buy the cheapest roller in the store.

You want something strong and firm pushing back against your muscles as you roll, especially in rollers designed to be used as back massage rollers since most of your body weight will be pushing on the roller during your session. Look for high-quality foam that’s not overly porous in a sturdy tube form.

Next, carefully consider the shape. Many basic massage rollers are smooth from one end to the other, but others are deliberately lumped or bumpy. Smooth rollers give an okay massage, but bumped rollers will push more deeply into your tissue to break up difficult to reach knots and stimulate muscle tissue. It also help you hit more of your trigger points and get faster pain relief.

I’ve lost track of how many muscle rollers we’ve tested over the years, but we finally found one that stood up to our rigorous testing to ensure sustained massage benefit use after use and earn the Healthy Back Institute Seal of Approval. It’s called the Bumpy Roller.

Most soft massage rollers we’ve tested are probably better suited as a pool noodle than a massage device. But the Bumpy Roller features 200 extra-strong bumps for the most effective trigger point release we’ve found yet in a massage roller.

And the funny thing is, the Bumpy Roller costs less than many of the “high-end” massage rollers we’ve tested that didn’t do half the job. So if you’re looking for a great massage roller for just about any form of muscle pain, the Bumpy Roller gets my highest recommendation.

Get the Bumpy Roller Today at a Special Discount!

 

References

Free Your Muscles. Men’s Health.

Zalta, J. Massage Therapy Protocol for Post-Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Case Report. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, Vol 1:2 2008.

Posted in Massage Therapy, New, Treatments | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Are Your Doctor’s Hands Poisoning You?

3 Ways Your Doctor May Be Infecting You
(And My 4 KEY Pieces of Advice)

While researching the 12 little-known germiest places to beware of, I discovered something just as alarming:

If you are not cautious and if you don’t speak up for yourself, your doctor and other health workers could easily be infecting you … particularly in the following three ways.

In response, I also offer you four important pieces of advice…

1) “Can You Please Put on a NEW Pair of Gloves?

It would seem to be common sense that a health care worker wearing gloves is safer than those who don’t wear them.

But not so fast!

According to a recent study of hand hygiene and glove usage in hospitals, researchers found the use of gloves was strongly linked to significantly worse levels of hygiene.

“Gloves are often used when in contact with bodily fluids or the most infective patients, like MRSA patients,” said Dr. Sheldon Stone, lead author of the study. “So in the patient group or the clinical situation where you’re more likely to pick up potentially spreadable germs, health care workers are actually less likely to clean their hands afterward.”

The level of hand hygiene was even worse in environments where workers were required to wear gloves all the time, particularly before having contact with patients or while assisting high-risk patients.

The good intentions that come from taking preventative measures like wearing gloves are useless if workers don’t wash their hands.

So my first piece of advice is to ask your doctor or any health care worker to BOTH wash their hands and change their gloves before handling you or a loved one.

2) “I Insist You Disinfect That Stethoscope, Please!”

Your doctor’s familiar stethoscope may also be full of risky germs, according to a summer 2011 study.

An analysis of 100 stethoscopes at three units discovered 54 samples of Staphylocococcus aureas or methicillin-resistant Staphylocococcus aureas — better known as MRSA — the antibiotic-resistant bug that can be deadly.

When you consider how many other people are touched by those stethoscopes at doctor’s offices and hospitals, this contamination starts to make some (unfortunate) sense.

But here is the other frightening statistic: Only 8 out of 100 health professionals — all eight of them nurses — cleaned their stethoscopes before or after seeing a patient! Among the frightening reasons given for germy stethoscopes were forgetfulness, not enough time or being too busy…

My second piece of advice? Insist they disinfect that stethoscope with you watching before it touches you!

3) “Can You Please Remove That Tie?”

You may be seeing fewer male doctors wearing ties at clinics and hospitals, and here is why:

A few years ago, the American Medical Association considered a proposal that would’ve suggested a new dress code for doctors … thanks to evidence that ties, long sleeved shirts, white coats, and other loose / dangling clothing may be responsible for spreading infections.

This may have been in part a delayed reaction to a 2004 study of medical staffers at a New York hospital that identified the source of bacteria that cause blood infections, pneumonia and other serious diseases: neckties.

Several states have also discussed “dressing down” as a means to prevent the spread of dangerous bacteria. One of these, New York — citing the highest malpractice insurance costs in the nation in their state –  recently endorsed a “prohibition” on health care professionals wearing ties, jewelry, and other clothing to lower the cost of medical malpractice lawsuits.

Also, an article appearing in Missouri Medicine: The Journal of the Missouri State Medical Association cited many more studies linking ties and other clothing to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in calling for a transition away from ties.

The last sentence in the piece really says it all: Abandoning neckties soon might be considered, like good hand washing, to be among the best practices in the fight to keep patients safe.

DO NOT WAIT for others to pass measures on this for you, though …

My third piece of advice is to ASK if your doctor and other health care providers wear ties and other loose/dangling clothing and to make your own choices accordingly if they do.

So what is my final piece of advice? Read my new FREE report to discover how to safely eliminate the nasty germs invading your body and causing disease and pain as soon as possible…

Click Here to Get My
New FREE Report,
“The Invasion of Pain,”  Instantly …
Discover How to STOP Disease Causing
Germs from Invading You for Good!

 

 

New York Times/Well

Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine

San Antonio Express-News

Wall Street Journal

Infectious Disease Special Edition

Posted in Caregiving, Environmental Toxins, General Health, Health Politics, MRSA/germs, New | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Most Powerful Chronic Back, Neck, and Leg Pain Relief

How Turn YOUR Yellow to Red …

Throw out your old-fashioned heating pad and take a look at this!

The picture above-left is an infrared photo showing the blood circulation of your average person’s back.

The yellow areas are spots where the blood circulation is poor and weak. The red spots where it is healthy and strong.

Most people’s circulation is terrible! Look at the picture — his whole back is one big yellow splotch, and unfortunately that is the norm for MOST people… even more so for those who experience back pain!

The photo above-right is the same person after using a FAR Infrared Heating Pad.

Look how healthy his circulation is. This is after barely an hour of soothing heat, too!

If you’re trying to manage chronic back, neck or leg pain, this Far Infrared Heating Pad could be the single greatest investment you’ll make all year.

If you use it for just a 30 minute session, the pain relief actually lasts for up to SIX HOURS.

Even better, The Mayo Clinic reports Far Infrared Heat delivers amazing health benefits on top of helping reduce your back pain over the long-term.

And in a study published in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology, The Mayo Clinic showed Far Infrared Heat therapy also:

> Significantly lowers your blood pressure

> Helps you lose weight faster

> Lowers your blood sugar

> Significantly increases your blood flow and circulation

> Lowers your cholesterol

> And lowers your triglycerides (too much of this is linked to coronary artery disease)

The Mayo Clinic study suggests Far Infrared Heat therapy even lowers your risk of getting arteriosclerosis!

And you can get all these benefits without diets, exercises or months of treatments – NOT that those aren’t good for you! We should all eat right and exercise. But most of us could use a little extra help too.

You just can’t get the same fast transformation of your circulation from regular heat as a FAR Infrared Heating Pad can deliver.

Click here to find out about the FAR Infrared Heating Pad

 

This heating pad is always one of our top-sellers … and folks who try it just LOVE it…

“I bought this for my mother who has been suffering from back pain for over a decade, but when it arrived I wanted to try it out first. As you can guess, I loved it and had to buy another one for me! Thanks for letting me know about this great new product.”

Richard S, Oceanside, CA

But here’s the catch…

These top-quality heating pads always fly off our shelves and we end up in back-order mode. BUT my sister Heather (she handles our product warehouse) tells me we just got a new shipment in, so I urge you to discover more and if you are interested try yours (RISK-FREE) today…

Click here now to find out about the FAR Infrared Heating Pads

 

 

 

Posted in Back Pain, Far Infrared Heat, Lower Back Pain, Massage Therapy, Neck Pain, Sciatic Pain, Sciatica, Sciatica Relief, Upper Back Pain | 7 Comments

Pulled Back Muscle?

The 5 Most Important Steps to Take Now

pulled back muscle

What should you do when you pull a back muscle?

A pulled back muscle occurs when the muscle is stretched too far, causing small tears within the muscle.

If you haven’t already, you probably will at some point experience a pulled back muscle. It could happen during a game of golf, while cleaning the garage, or even on the dance floor.

A pulled back muscle may not sound like a serious injury, but the low back pain can be surprisingly severe. Fortunately, pulled back muscles usually heal within days or weeks.

While that pulled back muscle may seem to come on suddenly, chances are it was a long time coming. You could be ignoring some very important warning signs. Which means if you’re not in pain now, you might want to sit up and pay attention.

Do you sit in a chair all day? Do you exercise incorrectly? Are you under tremendous stress? Are you dehydrated? Are you substantially overweight?

Did you honestly answer yes to one or more of those questions? If so, then you’re at greater risk of muscle imbalances, trigger point pain, and at higher risk for injuries like a pulled back muscle.

But when you do experience pulled back muscles what do you do? You probably reach for a bottle of pain killers and go lie down. But what should you really do?

Here’s the 5 most important steps you can take now to help your body recover quickly from a pulled back muscle:

#1: Apply Cold

You should apply ice to your injury as soon as possible. The sooner you apply the ice the more it will help. Use a cold pack, a zip lock bag of crushed ice, or even a bag of frozen vegetables in a pinch.

Apply the cold pack in a circular massaging motion to prevent the ice from resting in one place too long. You can also place a thin towel between the compress and your skin to help prevent frostbite.

Ice can be applied up to 20 minutes at a time. Repeat over the course of the first few days, or after flare ups. The cold will cause nearby blood vessels to constrict and also help minimize swelling and painful inflammation.

The cold will stimulates your body to rush more oxygen-rich blood full of antibodies and vital nutrients to repair the injury and carry away waste products as it attempts to warm the area.

#2: Apply Heat

Try applying heat directly after the ice. This is a powerful way to “double-shock” your back muscles out of the pain-spasm cycle.

Apply 20 minutes of ice followed by 20 minutes of heat and repeat up to three times. This should provide some relief from even severe lower back pain.

There are many ways to apply heat, including a long hot shower, ultrasound, heating pad, and pain cream.

If you want the gold standard in heat for pain relief, try a far infrared heating pad, which produces heat that penetrates much deeper than the superficial heating a standard heating pad offers.

As heat is applied, your back muscles relax and circulation increases again as your body sends fresh blood supply to cool the area back to normal. Repeat heat treatments as necessary.

#3: Natural Anti-inflammatories

Think twice before you reach for that bottle of pain killer. It might kill more than just your pain.

The truth is inflammation is a normal part of the healing process. The problem with inflammation is our bodies lose the ability to turn off the inflammatory response as we get older.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen can help with both pain and inflammation, but they also carry significant cardiac and digestive health risks.

A better approach is to replace what your body stops producing enough of as you age… specifically, systemic proteolytic enzymes.

These are the same enzymes your body uses to naturally quell inflammation once healing is complete and clean up excess scar tissue. By giving your body what it needs to heal instead of masking the symptoms, you both reduce painful inflammation and speed up actual recovery time.

#4: Rest – But Not Too Much

Don’t rest too long. A little couch time won’t hurt, but light activity speeds recovery, so avoid lying down for long periods of time.

Growing evidence shows there is little or no benefit to bed rest over staying active. Listen to your body. Ultimately, your level of pain will determine your level of activity.

As a rule of thumb, if a certain activity led to a pulled muscle don’t repeat it for at least a week. For example, if your back pain started after lifting something heavy, avoid lifting heavy objects for at least a week while your back muscle heals.

#5: Stretching and Strengthening

You’ll want to be very careful your first couple of days, but some light stretching can often reduce lower back pain from a pulled muscle by relieving tension. Include both strengthening and stretching exercises.

Try this easy stretch while lying in bed. Gently raise your knees from the bed to your chest, then put a slight pressure on your knees for a light stretch in your lower back.

This stretch can help relieve pain spasms in your back faster than waiting on them to resolve on their own. The stretch should not add to your pain, so again, remember to listen to your body.

Prevent Back Muscle Pain

Often you can avoid back pain by taking some simple protective steps.

Watch what you eat. Stay away from inflammatory foods, such as baked goods, processed foods, fruit juice, soda, sweetened cereals, and fast food. They make your body more sensitive to pain.

Keep fresh fruits and vegetables a main part of your diet. Also eat foods rich in back pain-relieving Omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, sardines, and walnuts.

You need protein in your diet to help repair damaged tissue and to build and strengthen muscle. And don’t forget to drink plenty of water to hydrate tissues and organs and allow your body to regulate its temperature throughout the day.

Relieve stress. Many people hold emotional stress in their muscles. Frequent stress, anxiety, and tension can lead to tight muscles and muscle strains. You may be able to prevent new or recurring back pain with simple techniques such as massage and meditation.

Studies show that massage is an effective way to reduce stress and relax tightened muscles. And if you haven’t tried meditation, maybe you should. As little as 10 minutes being still, breathing deep, and centering your thoughts can quiet both mind and body after a stressful day. In fact, here’s how you can try stress-relieving meditation free.

Support Your Back. What kind of support does your desk chair, car seat, or couch offer? Probably not enough.

Try using a back support cushion, or a back orthotic which cradles your pelvis and floats your spinal system to reduce all-day pressure buildup and automatically correct slouched sitting positions.

By improving your sitting posture you can relieve excess strain on back muscles that can make you prone to a pulled back muscle

Do you find articles like this helpful? Get the best back pain articles, including exclusive subscriber-only content, sent straight to your Inbox by subscribing to the web’s best back pain newsletter!

It’s free, your information remains private and you can unsubscribe at any time. Simply enter your email address in the box at the top of the page and click Subscribe Now!

 

Posted in Back Pain, Lower Back Pain, New | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Armed Chinese Troops in Texas!

Well this amazing video really speaks for itself!

Watch out for the big buzzword that opponents of these ideas love to throw around to scare people into submission: ISOLATIONISM. Because…

“Shutting down military bases and ceasing to deal with other nations with threats and violence is not isolationism. It is the OPPOSITE. Opening ourselves up to friendship, honest trade and diplomacy is the foreign policy of peace and prosperity. It is the ONLY foreign policy that will not bankrupt us in short order, as our current actions most definitely WILL …”

Watch the video, share it, and please share your comments about it below!

 

Posted in Health Politics, Motivation and Inspiration, Multimedia, New, Video | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The 7 Most Dangerous Disease-Causing Bacteria

protect yourself from disease-causing bacteria
Protect yourself from the most dangerous disease-causing bacteria

Your body has millions of potential disease-causing bacteria, inside and out. Bacteria cover your skin, live in your intestines and throughout your body.

Some bacteria help your bodily processes along while others keep potentially harmful bacteria at bay. Infection can occur when disease-causing bacteria enter your body or existing bacteria get out of balance.

Pathogenic bacteria cause numerous infectious diseases like pneumonia, cholera, whooping cough, and meningitis and are responsible for the spread of respiratory infections like tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea.

Disease-causing bacteria are a leading cause of death in children and the elderly. Hospitalized patients and those with chronic diseases are at especially high risk of bacterial infection.

You can help protect yourself from bacterial infection by maintaining a healthy immune system. Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet, getting plenty of restful sleep, and exercising regularly are important ways to boost your body’s defenses.

When disease-causing bacteria overwhelm your immune system, there’s an incubation period between the start of infection and the time symptoms appear. Here’s the incubation period for several well-known diseases caused by bacteria:

  • Pneumonia: 1- 3 days
  • Meningitis: 2 – 10 days
  • MRSA: 1 – 10 days
  • Strep: 2 – 5 days
  • Tuberculosis: Weeks to Years
  • Whooping Cough: 6 – 20 days
  • Cholera: 2 hours – 5 days
  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever: 2-14 days
  • Salmonella: 8 – 48 hours
  • Bubonic Plague: 2 – 6 days

As you can see, some bacteria strike swiftly, while others like tuberculosis can lie dormant in your system for years before you ever know they’re there.

That’s why I’m sharing what I believe are the seven most dangerous disease-causing bacteria (that you’re likely to encounter)… and more importantly, how to rid your body of them all.

#1: Streptococcus pneumoniae

Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria are commonly found in the nose and throat and are currently the leading cause of invasive bacterial disease in children and the elderly.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is responsible for numerous cases of pneumonia throughout the world. It’s the #1 cause of bacterial meningitis and the most common cause of ear infections in children. Don’t forget to wash your hands frequently.

#2: Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Get tested. Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis which is a highly infectious disease causing breathing difficulties as the bacteria infect your lungs.

An estimated 15 million people in the United States are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Of these, however, only a small number will actually develop clinically evident disease.

This disease-causing bacterium can lie dormant in your respiratory system for years before being activated.

#3: Escherichia coli

You might want to start eating your hamburgers well done. E. coli is commonly transmitted through contaminated hamburger meat, apple cider, and fruits and vegetables.

This bacteria is associated with a severe diarrheal disease called hemolytic uremic syndrome and has caused several nationally prominent outbreaks of food poisoning in recent years.

An estimated 73,000 cases are reported in the United States annually, and E. coli bacteria is one of the most commonly involved bacteria behind product recalls.

#4: Salmonella

Beware of contaminated water. Salmonella is the second most frequent cause of bacterial disease in the United States. Mild infections often remain undiagnosed or unreported, so incidence may be much greater than we think.

Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The elderly, infants, and people with impaired immune systems are at greatest risk of severe disease. Salmonella is transmitted via exposure to contaminated food, especially eggs or water, or contact with infected animals.

#5: Staphylococcus

Check for skin damage. Staphylococcus is a group of bacteria behind a number of diseases after infecting various tissues in your body.

Staphylococci can normally be found in the nose, on the skin, and other locations of up to 30% of healthy adults. In the majority of cases, these bacteria do not cause disease.

However, damage to the skin or other injury may allow the bacteria to overcome the natural protective mechanisms of the body, leading to infection.

Recently, antibiotic-resistant strains have appeared called MRSA or multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which has gained notoriety for causing the flesh eating disease.

#6: Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Seek medical care. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the bacteria behind the sexually transmitted disease Gonorrhea. There are more than 700,000 new gonorrheal infections each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Gonorrhea is preventable and treatable. Any person who engages in sexual activity can contract and pass on a gonorrhea infection from their partner.

#7: Clostridium tetani

Clostridium tetani bacteria cause Tetanus, a dangerous disease that attacks the nervous system and can lead to paralysis and even death.

Clostridium tetani bacteria are present in the soil, in the intestines and feces of household and farm animals as well as human excretion. Lockjaw and terrible spasms are the symptoms of the disease. Access to a good ICU is necessary for a chance at recovery once contracted.

Wipe Out Disease-Causing Bacteria in One Hour

Is your body hosting one or more of these disease-causing bacteria?

The truth of the matter is, you probably don’t know. But bacteria, viruses, and even full-size parasites have been discovered to be the culprits behind an amazing array of both disease and pain.

But the good news is recent scientific research has now developed a way to eliminate them all – harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites – in as little as one hour. Better yet, it doesn’t require potentially dangerous vaccines, pills or even trips to the doctor.

Find out how you can wipe out pain- and disease-causing bacteria in just one hour in our free special report. Click the link below to download it now.

Discover How to Wipe Out Disease-Causing Bacteria in One Hour!


Posted in General Health, MRSA/germs | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Neck Pain in Women

Why Women Experience More Neck Pain & What To Do

A Swedish medical study finally confirmed something some had already suspected: neck pain in women is far more prevalent — regardless of age or profession — than in men.

The big surprise about the discovery: scientists assumed the physical demands of some jobs would make men more prone to neck pain, or at least even things out, but not so fast…

Two questionnaires polling some 1,500 women and 1,400 men — many of whom were younger, hadn’t started families, or were studying much of the time — confirmed the results.

What makes neck pain harder for women is a common problem that worsens many diseases and physical challenges: perceived and largely untreated stress due to various psychosocial factors, including the demands of work and studying.

And spending too many hours in front of a computer sitting in bad chairs versus the best chairs for preventing pain doesn’t help either.

Yes, There IS A Solution with a 93% Success Rate!

Thankfully, neck pain can be easily and gently treated without resorting to expensive doctors, dangerous drugs or surgeries…

It is called the Lose the Neck Pain System, and it was developed by Dr. Paris, a renowned neck pain specialist.

This system has helped thousands of others overcome neck pain for good, but it is something most doctors don’t want you to know about!

Discover why, and then try this simple and powerful system with a 93% success rate …

Discover the “FORBIDDEN” Neck Pain Cure, Lose The Neck Pain, Right Now!

 

 

ScienceDaily

Posted in General Health, Lose the Neck Pain, Neck Pain, New, Pain Relief | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Arthritis of the Spine

Symptoms, Causes and the Top 10 Arthritis of the Spine Treatments

Spondylosis, also known as arthritis of the spine, is said to be a “normal” part of getting older — a result of a lifetime’s worth of wear-and-tear on your spine, leading to degeneration and, often, pain. As a result, half of adults aged 65 years and older report having been diagnosed with arthritis, and an estimated one in five U.S. adults suffer from some form of the disease.[i]

arthritis of the spineWhen arthritis impacts your spine, it can be debilitating, even leading to muscle weakness and related psychological problems like anxiety and depression. Some suffer pain so excruciating they are unable to get out of bed or perform daily activities. That said, there are many options for treating arthritis of the spine – options that help address the underlying cause of the disease to encourage your body’s natural healing potential.

Are There Other Causes of Spinal Arthritis?

Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, is also known as degenerative joint disease because it occurs when the cartilage protecting your bones wears down, leading to inflammation and pain. Bone spurs may also develop, which causes your bones to rub painfully together.

As mentioned, these degenerative changes are most common as you get older, but there are other potential causes as well, including:

  • Past injuries or surgeries
  • Calcium build-up in your bones
  • Hobbies or activities that stress joints repeatedly
  • Genetic defects related to cartilage

Body-wide imbalances in your stress levels, hormone levels and nutrition may also trigger or exacerbate joint degeneration. Even muscle imbalances, such as weak core muscles, can negatively impact your posture, leading to neck and back pain, and furthering degeneration.

Classic Signs of Arthritis of the Spine

If you have arthritis of the spine, you may have back pain that comes and goes, along with stiffness and pain in your joints. Often, spinal stiffness and pain are worst in the morning, such as when you first get out of bed, and may improve somewhat after gentle exercises or stretches.

For some, however, spinal arthritis can lead to pain that radiates down into your buttocks, thighs or pelvic area, or spreads to your shoulders or neck. Others may have weakness or numbness in their neck, arms or legs, along with a limited range of motion that makes it difficult to bend over or walk.

Some people even hear a crunching sound when their bones rub together, and others experience frequent urination associated with arthritis of the spine. In severe cases, the debilitating pain can lead to social and emotional problems, particularly if it hinders your ability to work or engage in daily activities.

Because the pain of spinal arthritis often varies in frequency and intensity, even within one individual, and can mimic other types of back problems, your physician will most likely use your medical history along with exercises designed to test your range of motion to aid in diagnosis. Sometimes x-rays or MRIs are also used.

What Can You do to Relieve Arthritis of the Spine?

Conventional treatments for arthritis of the spine include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as well as pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), codeine and morphine. Your doctor may also recommend you restrict movement of your neck and back with a cervical collar or other bracing, and in severe cases surgery is sometimes suggested.

The problem with these conventional treatment approaches is that they are geared toward eliminating symptoms, while the underlying degeneration continues to progress. Long-term use of NSAIDs and pain medications can also cause serious side effects, including gastrointestinal risks and heart and liver problems. To that end, if you are looking for symptom relief, there are natural, non-drug approaches that can help, including:

  • Hot or cold compresses
  • Acupuncture
  • Massage
  • Electrical nerve stimulation
  • Heal-n-Soothe, a natural anti-inflammatory cream that contains 12 of the most powerful and safest anti-pain ingredients
  • Yoga and relaxation therapy

Ultimately, however, you will want to address the underlying causes of the spinal degeneration so your body has a chance to heal and recover, or at the very least slow the process of degeneration.

For instance, exercise can help improve osteoarthritis by strengthening your muscles and joints, and improving flexibility and range of motion. A physical therapist or qualified personal trainer can help you develop a safe exercise plan tailored to your fitness level.

In order to achieve long-term results, you should expect to combine a number of treatment approaches to determine which work best for you as an individual. With the free LosetheBackPain.com newsletter, you’ll have access to a treasure trove of back pain tips and treatment options that you may not have heard about before. Among them:

  • Muscle Balance Therapy, which can help generate balance and stability in your pelvis and spine, and minimize excessive wear and tear of the disc and other joints of your spine
  • Healing Heat, which is deep penetrating and longer lasting for pain relief and to increase joint range of motion

Unlike most treatments, which only offer temporary symptom relief, these options target the underlying causes of your pain, often leading to complete pain relief even among chronic back pain sufferers.

To learn more, join the hundreds of thousands of other readers of the FREE LosetheBackPain.com newsletter by entering your primary email on this page — and start your journey to becoming pain-free today.

 


[i] U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arthritis-Related Statistics

 

Posted in Arthritis, Conditions, Heal-n-Soothe, Live Pain Free Newsletter, New, Products | Tagged , | 3 Comments
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