2085 N Broadway #350 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (925) 256-7648 www.olympicspawc.com
From backs to shoulders, knees to necks, 125 million people are in pain, and they spend some $300 billion on pills, pot, procedures and natural “cures” to find relief.
How the body heals itself
Pain isn’t something to simply get rid of; it’s your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong, often a strong signal to stop what you’re doing and correct course.
Beyond the immediate warning, pain triggers a cascade of responses from within. Inflammation at the point of injury alerts the body’s immune system to get to work on healing.
Other chemicals are then notified and rush in to ward off infection, devour dead cells and tissue and keep inflammation in check.
For most aches or injuries, pain goes away with treatment and time.
When it doesn’t, the situation can get tricky. Doctors may find themselves at a loss, and patients can get caught in a cycle of treatments or succumb to the promise of unproven remedies.
Others may handle it with a long-term prescription.
Dealing with the pain
You’ve got pain in the lumbar region, the area spanning the middle of your back to your tailbone. It ranges from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain.
About 80 percent of adults suffer from lower back pain at some point, and it affects more women than men.
What causes back pain? It can stem from an injury, such as muscle strain from lifting a heavy object. Or it can be caused by wear and tear on the joints, disks and ligaments that hold the spine in place.
Chronic back pain often arises from disks that have degenerated. That can result in “slipped” (or herniated) disks that can bulge and press on nerves.
Sometimes, slipped disks allow the spine’s bones (vertebrae), which are otherwise normally supported in place by the disks, to slide on top of each other and also irritate nerves.
Osteoporosis (a condition that causes weak and brittle bones) can cause compression fractures that can also lead to lower back pain.
If your back doesn’t get better, see a doctor. The pain could be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia or osteoporosis.
If that’s not the case, your doctor may recommend a hands-on treatment, such as chiropractic, massage or physical therapy.
Get to an emergency room if you experience weakness or sudden urinary or bowel incontinence, or if pain is so severe that you can’t drive or use stairs. Seek care immediately for your current back pain if you’ve had a previous back injury, a severe fall or cancer.
Bed rest should be avoided; it can prolong recovery. Also skip back-support braces and patches, balms and creams such as Bengay or Icy Hot; they haven’t been shown to help.
Consider back surgery only if your pain is clearly linked to a herniated disk or spinal stenosis (the narrowing of the spinal column) that hasn’t improved with other treatment after several months.
Also:
— Consumers Union Inc.
Visit Consumer Reports at ConsumerReports.org.
Prenatal Massage – A nurturing massage that focuses on the special needs of mothers-to-be during pregnancy. Positioning, pillows and cushions are used to enhance support, decrease pressure and increase relaxation for both body and mind. Mother and baby share in the benefits as stress and tension melt away, leaving you feeling balanced and energized. Relief of stress on feet, ankles, low back and neck, as well as reducing swelling, are all benefits of a Prenatal Massage.
Hot Stone Massage is a form of massage therapy that follows the same principles of Swedish Massage with the addition of heated stones, which helps lead to deep relaxation. Adding heat to specific areas on the body enhances the feelings of relaxation and peace. Recommended in particular for individuals suffering from fibromyalgia, arthritis or other chronic pain. The penetrating effects of the heated stones allows the massage to be delivered without excessive pressure.
Olympic Spa 