February 21, 2008

Five ways to reduce lower back pain

Photo from I Are Rowell

Without doing a survey, I’d be happy to place a bet on lower back pain being one of the top 3 body problems the majority of people worldwide face. Even I have lower back pains from time to time. Just last week, I struggled with back pain for a few days and although there are many causes for it, there are also many ways to reduce your pain (and in some cases, totally get rid of it) without medication. 

Here are some common causes of back pain when I have been affected:

• Incorrect posture
• Not having your laptop or computer at an appropriate height
• Working long hours sitting at a table without exercise
• Not wrapped up properly when out in the cold

Of course, there are many more. Please share in the comments what you feel causes your lower back pain. In response, here are some ways to reduce (or get rid of) your lower back pain:

• Apply heat to your back. I like to sit or sleep with a hot water bottle when I have back pain.

• Immediately stop any strenuous activity you may be performing. If you’re working strenuously at a job, notify your manager as well so he/she is aware.

• Relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerve with correct postures. 

• Use proper back supports. 

• Lower back exercises should be performed daily. 

 

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December 16, 2007

How to use rosehip to prevent joint pain

Rosehips are the fruit of the rose plant. Roses come in all shapes and sizes and when the leaves have fallen, if left alone you notice a small like berry grows and when left until the first frost will soften and turn bright red. The most abundant amount of fruit are found on the old-fashioned shrub rose, Rugosa. They are tangy yet sweet and used mainly as tea.

Rosehips have been around and in use as an herbal relief of joint pain for centuries. Today it is used an alternative remedy of conventional drugs, offering relief without the undesirable side effects of the pain killers or anti-inflammatory medications on the market today. In studies, rosehips have shown quick relief and pain reduction which was surprising to researchers.

Using rosehips to prevent joint pain, researchers in their case studies have administered it in various forms, from an extract to a powder and also in pill form. One group were given a placebo while the other study group given rosehips. Those treated with the rosehips had a cessation of pain by 40%, a very high percentage compared to todays conventional medicines.

In some studies, with the use of capsules containing rosehip powder, patients with severe symptoms have shown a marked improvement in six months time. Research has also found that those given rosehip supplements need less traditional painkillers which over time can cause ulcers and stomach bleeding, which no doctor wishes his patient to be taking.

The extract of rosehips have anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties and work well with conventional medical treatments. This suggests that this form of treatment can postpone or even eliminate the need for more expensive drugs. Folklore promotes drinking rosehip tea daily as both a preventative and pain reliever, providing relief to many throughout the years.

Rosehips as a preventative to all forms of arthritis, can be bought in many health food stores, both online and in local stores. No matter the form you are using, whether an extract or powder great care should be taken in choosing your rosehips, from reliable and organic farming practices to making sure you are receiving top quality herbs free from pesticides.

Popularity: 8% [?]

November 24, 2007

How to get all the calcium your bones need daily

Calcium is a mineral we need daily for building strong bones and teeth, and for preventing osteoporosis. The amount of calcium needed over a lifetime change with age. During the years a child is actively growing, a lot of calcium is important. The mid-life years require a bit less, just to maintain strong bones. However, later in life, the need increases once again to prevent bone loss.

Ninety-nine percent of the body’s calcium stores are in our teeth and bones. The other 1% resides in the blood and soft tissues of the body. Osteoporosis is a serious disease and a result of the body pulling from it’s own stores of calcium within the body. Bones become very fragile and are more likely to break. This is why we need to either eat plenty of calcium or take supplements to ensure we get enough each day.

Calcium also has several other seldom known benefits. Calcium plays a role in nerve conduction, blood clotting, muscle contraction, cardiac action, and milk production (for young nursing mothers). It is a key player in the metabolizing hormones and enzymes. Calcium has been shown to bind free fatty acids and bile acids, which could help to prevent certain types of cancers.

It plays an essential role in the transformation of light to electrical impulses in the retina (eye). Calcium combines with phosphorus in the bones to lend strength to the skeletal structure. Studies have shown also that those who are well-supplied with calcium in their developmental years tend to live longer and avoid more serious illnesses later in life.

We can get our required amount of calcium daily by eating foods rich in calcium. Such foods would include milk, cheeses, broccoli, kale, eggs, fish, kefir, peas, potatoes, lentils, soybeans, yogurt, collard greens, calcium-fortified breads, strawberries, fruit juices, oranges, rice, some seafood such as salmon and some cereals. Drinking water may also contain calcium.

Now, in order for the body to absorb calcium, it needs Vitamin D. Food sources of Vitamin D are egg yolks, liver, cod liver oil, multivitamins, and milk fortified with Vitamin D. It is also recommended we get 15 minutes a day in the sunshine to help us get our daily dose of Vitamin D. If for some reason you are unable to get enough calcium through food each day, supplements are a viable substitute.

As you read the label, make sure to check the amount of calcium contained in each dose. The recommended dose of calcium per day is about 2500 mg between food and supplements. Avoid taking calcium and iron supplements at the same time, as they interfere with each other’s absorption.

Calcium is essential for development, resisting diseases, and for staying healthy, so try to eat a balanced diet or take supplements to get the much-needed daily amount.

Popularity: 8% [?]

November 3, 2007

Why pomegranates are good for your joints

Pomegranate, biologically called Ponica granatum L. is one of those rare tropical fruits that has been defined as an antioxidant becuase it can prevent the free radicals from causing havoc in our bodies.Pomegranate is high in antioxidants, and there is lots of evidence that inflammation plays an important role in joint problems.As Vitamin C and Ellagic Acid are antioxidants in Pomegranate research leads to show us that these antioxidants may in fact mop up the molecules that add oxygen to our cells and thus change their biological functions.(Ellagic Acid, a powerful antioxidant, is also found in nuts, seeds and other berries).What this means is that by mopping up those oxygen molecules, the rightful elements in the joints are being preserved and therefore a healthy joint can rest.Therefore as free radicals are being decreased and thus factors which destroy them are being increased, more healthy joints can become prevalent.Justvitamins.co.uk have a great vitamin you could take on a regular basis called POMPOWER POMEGRANATE.

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