What Do You Need to Know About Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Spinal decompression therapy is the most popular non invasive and non surgical treatment process used to treat chronic back pain. You may be surprised to know that medications and surgery are often not successful in treating chronic back pain and many people tend to suffer in silence.

The conventional treatment processes do not treat the causes and end up treating only the symptoms providing only temporary relief. The spine supports the upper body and any damage or deterioration to it due to accidents, injuries or the aging process can cause pain.

Although some people may be skeptical about using this treatment you need to know that this therapy actually works and you may be able to experience relief from your chronic back pain after a few sessions. A thorough assessment needs to be done to determine whether this treatment process is suitable for your condition.

The treatment process is done by an experienced chiropractor after identifying the problem areas of the spine. As there are different types of spinal injuries it is important that the chiropractor that you choose has the necessary experience and skills to treat it successfully.

How does the spinal decompression therapy work?

The spinal decompression therapy works by taking the pressure off the compressed discs and vertebrae. The effect of this treatment process for chronic back pain may vary depending on the nature of the pain, symptoms, age and gender. This therapy is usually performed in a clinical setting.

The spinal decompression treatment uses traction devices and other techniques that help in relieving the pressure on the nerves. Equipment is used to maneuver the spine in a precise direction so that the vertebrae and nerves that are misaligned may be properly aligned.

The problem area of the spine is targeted in a precise manner and the traction devices help pull and elongate it so that the misalignment is corrected. You may not experience any side effects after the treatment although some people may experience muscle spasm for a couple of days.

As no surgery is involved you may be able to resume your normal activities at the earliest. It is best to follow the advice of the chiropractor so that you are able to strengthen the spine and prevent injuries.

Spinal decompression therapy sessions

The cost of the spinal decompression therapy may vary depending on the number of sessions that you may have to attend to help get relief from chronic back pain. Most people may require 10 - 20 sessions to experiencing relief from pain. If you are recovering from a major injury or accident you may have to attend more sessions to get rid of pain and gain mobility.

Before you start this therapy you need to ensure whether you are eligible for it. Pregnant women, people with fractures or other injuries, paraplegics and those suffering from pelvic cancer need to consult the doctor before they can opt for this treatment.

Do not choose chiropractors who do not have the necessary experience and expertise to treat chronic back pain even if they offer their services at a discount.

Get rid of back pain permanently http://www.westlondonchiropracticclinics.co.uk/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Rahul_Shariff/340605

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How to Get the Most of Your Relationship Therapy Experience

While going for counselling isn't something to be embarrassed about and is more widely accepted than ever before, it is important that you know that the outcome may not be what you are expecting. In some rare cases, with the help of the counsellor, you may both realise that separating and living apart is better for you, your relationship and you family.

Relationship therapy is not meant to be easy and there are certain things you are going to want to ensure you both do to get the most out of your experience and help you moving forward.

Before you go to your first session, sit down and write down what the goals are that you want to achieve when you go for relationship therapy. What do you want out of your life? What do you expect of your partner? What blocks do you have to get through to reach your goals? Knowing what your goals are gives you something to focus on during therapy and ensure that you can both come to the table to ensure that your therapy sessions are effective and help you in the long run.

Chances are your counsellor will direct you towards making the right choices. They will use a therapy which gets you talking, not to them but to each other to work through your problems. The choices you have to make is your attitude towards relationship therapy and your motivation in the long run, do you want to ensure your relationship works or are you ready to go down the road of separating and moving on with your life?

In order to get the most out of this experience, you must both want it. There is no point even attending sessions if the focus is one sided. If you want to go to counselling and your partner doesn't, then the result is not going to be effective. You also want to check your attitude and ensure that you are both focused on making the necessary changes you need to make to ensure your relationship is a success moving forward.

Be ready to accept to hear things you don't want to hear. Relationship therapy can be a painful experience and you may find yourself hurt, but you need to be prepared to hear things about yourself that you are not ready to hear. Hearing these things and then using that information to change yourself, may be just what is needed to improve your relationship.

Communication is an imperative part of any relationship and if you don't communicate with each other, then you may never know where the problems lie in the relationship and what you both need to work on. You need to approach counselling with an open mind and be accepting of what you are told, you need to be ready to share your feelings with your partner and make them understand the problems you have within the relationship that they must work on, while accepting things you need to focus on.

It is very important that you feel comfortable with your counsellor, you should feel you can open up and speak freely in front of them. The final thing you need to do to get the most of your experience is to learn from the past and use that to improve your future.

London Therapy Foundation (LTF) is a consortium of registered and qualified psychotherapists and counsellors offering a range of mental services from marriage counselling to depression and addiction to anxiety. LTF formed with the highest level of service in mind and their access centre is conveniently located close to the M25. Their website is brimming with information on the mental health professionals and enables patients to access counselling without a long waiting list. LTF is a valuable resource for anyone looking for treatment or support at reasonable prices and a place for therapists to work together as a community. To find out more, visit http://londontherapyfoundation.com.

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What An Effective Couples Counsellor Will Do

The first thing you will find when it comes to effective couples counselling is a view on relationships and how they can change. When you first met your partner you may have been at school, you were both young and carefree. Over the years you have married and had a family and the reality of daily life has changed you and you have noticed you are growing apart. This isn't uncommon and over time relationships do change, its how you deal with the change and what you do to keep that flame alive and live together that matters.

It is very important at this point to note that couples counselling may not be for everyone and in some instances it may have an opposite outcome to what you were hoping for. There are some couples who find that their relationship cannot go anywhere and that separating and moving on with their lives is the best thing for them and their families. While this may not be the outcome you were hoping for, it is possible that with the help of therapy you identify that it is the best course of action moving forward.

Effective couples counsellors will work with you on changing how you behave with each other. In some instances, how you interact with each other changes and this can lead to problems. Focusing on good interactions and ensuring that you always take the other person into consideration, on both sides, can help you strengthen your relationship and enjoy a fulfilling life in the future.

One of the problems you may find within your relationship, is as things have started to strain between you, you have avoided any emotional contact with each other. Avoiding emotional contact can be a dangerous and slippery slope. With effective couples counselling you will learn how to reduce emotional avoidance and how to deal with issues head on, getting it off your chest and clearing the air quickly and effectively.

A couples counsellor will work with both of you to encourage communication. Effective communication is imperative to a successful and happy relationship. You need to be open and willing to share your thoughts and feelings with your partner, even if you know what you have to say will upset them. Bottling things up is only going to result in a volatile fight later on, something you would rather avoid. Holding onto feelings results in anger, contempt and anger and you rather want to work on communicating your feelings and helping you manage your emotions each and every day.

In addition to this, you will find that with an effective couples counsellor you will learn how to strengthen your relationship. You will be given the building blocks to start making those essential repairs and learning new ways and techniques to deal with issues and come up with solutions. Every relationship requires some form of compromise on both sides, so knowing what you need to do and trusting your partner that they will make an effort is the only way to achieve success and enjoy a long term relationship moving forward.

It is important to remember that while therapy can be very effective, it is not for everyone. It needs to be a commitment from both partners.

London Therapy Foundation (LTF) is a consortium of registered and qualified psychotherapists and counsellors offering a range of mental services from marriage counselling to depression and addiction to anxiety. LTF formed with the highest level of service in mind and their access centre is conveniently located close to the M25. Their website is brimming with information on the mental health professionals and enables patients to access counselling without a long waiting list. LTF is a valuable resource for anyone looking for treatment or support at reasonable prices and a place for therapists to work together as a community. To find out more, visit http://londontherapyfoundation.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Tony_Novissimo/1815121

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Why And Where Is Oxygen Therapy Used?

Body contouring is often resorted to by people who have achieved extreme weight loss or who want to lose excess weight permanently. The surgical procedure is used by doctors to remove excess fat from the abdomen, hips and thigh region.

The procedure can also help to sculpt the body so that people are able to improve their figure and regain health and confidence. If you are overweight it can lead to many health complications and body contouring surgery is an effective way to lose the extra fat.

Although this surgical procedure can help lose weight permanently, it is important that patients are also aware of body contouring side effects so that they can make an informed choice of surgery.

5 side effects of body contouring

1. Bruising and swelling - The most common body contouring side effects are bruising and swelling. As a significant amount of fat is removed from various places in the body it can lead to temporary bruising and swelling. Although it may reduce within a few days, it can continue to be a persistent problem in some cases. The bruising can be itchy and annoying at times.


2. Risk of infection - As the surgical wounds may not heal properly, it can increase the risk of infection. If the patient suffers from other skin or health problems it can delay the healing process and this can aggravate the condition resulting in infections. Allergic reactions to dressings and antiseptic solutions can also infect the operated area. Post surgical care is of utmost importance to help prevent infections of any type. Antibiotics are commonly used to treat infections successfully.


3. Soreness, scarring and change of sensation - As large quantities of skin and tissue are removed during the body contouring process it can result in temporary soreness. Scarring in certain parts of the body and change of sensation are also common side effects. Although scarring is impossible to prevent in surgery a good surgeon may be able to keep it as inconspicuous as possible.


4. Seroma or excess fluid - In this condition excess fluid is trapped inside the body and it starts building up in certain parts of the body. The fluid is drained out of the body using tubes and this can cure the side effect easily. Depending on the amount of fluids that are accumulated in various parts of the body the tubes may be placed inside for drainage for at least a week.


5. Risks related to anesthesia - Some patients may experience nausea after anesthesia. There can also be other risks related to anesthesia.

After the surgery you may experience some amount of pain and discomfort and this is most likely to disappear within a few days. Surgeons prescribe pain relief depending on the different surgical procedures.

It is advisable to follow the post operative care suggested by the surgeon for quick healing. In some rare cases multiple procedures may be required to achieve the desired results.

Serious complications or side effects are often rare in body contouring surgery. However you need to remember that all types of surgery involves side effects and risks.

The healing process is usually slow in this surgery as large parts of the body are operated upon but with adequate care and rest the common side effects can be easily managed.

Gain knowledge about the various side effects of this surgery so that you are able to deal with it effectively. It is advisable to make regular follow up visits to the doctor so that they can access the condition and suggest suitable remedial procedures so that the side effects are easily controlled and prevented. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/body-contouring-after-major-weight-loss.html

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Sports Medicine Tips: When To Use Hot And Cold Therapy

Sports medicine professionals see all types of injuries, and orthopedic ones are particularly common. In many instances, these types of injuries are treated with either hot or cold therapy. There are important differences between hot and cold therapy, and it is crucial to know which ailments require these treatments. For those who are treating their own orthopedic sports-related injuries, it is important to keep the following considerations in mind:

What is Cold Therapy?

Cold therapy simply refers to applying a cold compress to an injury. Sports medicine professionals use this process, sometimes called "cryotherapy," to constrict the blood vessels to encourage healing. After getting hurt, the body naturally tries to begin healing itself. In order to accomplish this, it will rush blood to the area and provide additional oxygen and other nutrients to heal the wound. This process also activates the immune system by rushing white blood cells to fight the injury. The downside to this process is that it causes swelling, which can lead to pain and the inability to move the injured area. Applying a cold compress to these areas can slow the swelling and decrease pain.

Cold therapy should be used to treat anything that is acute. This includes areas that are red, warm, or swollen. It should not be used to treat any residual soreness after the initial injury.

What is Hot Therapy?

Heat therapy, also known as thermotherapy, has the opposite effect of cold. Heat causes blood vessels to expand and open. It relaxes the skeletal and soft muscle tissue by increasing the flow of important fluids through the vessels that supply oxygen to the wound so that it can heal. The open vessels also provide a way to dispose of damaged cells that occur when a wound is healing. Heat is typically used on aches that are at least one or two days old or on chronic pain. Take care when using heat, as burns to the skin can result if the compress is left on the area for a long period of time.

Is a Doctor Necessary?

Seeing a doctor or sports medicine professional for these types of injuries will depend on their severity. Once function in the extremity is lost, it is most definitely time to seek medical attention. Chronic pain should also be dealt with medically. If a bone could possibly be broken, it is crucial to seek the advice of a doctor. Any wound that seems as if it is not healing in a reasonable manner should also be examined to ensure that further damage to the body does not occur.

When it comes to orthopedic injuries, the best route to take is to see a doctor or sports medicine professional. However, for those who prefer to take treatment into their own hands, it is important to know when hot and cold therapy is appropriate. Understanding the reasoning behind theses processes will improve the patient's chances of a full recovery.

To learn more about their options for sports medicine, Hagerstown, MD residents should visit http://robinwoodortho.com/sports-medicine/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Andrea_Avery/663068

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What to Know About Getting a Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy can be a life-saving procedure that detects cancer. It is not always something that patients look forward to, but it is an easy and effective way to prevent colon cancer before it becomes deadly. By knowing what to expect, it can alleviate any concerns there may be about going through the process.

Who Should Have a Colonoscopy?

Men and women should have the procedure at age 50. It should be repeated once every five to ten years until the age of 75. It may be necessary to have the procedure done more frequently, depending on what the doctor finds.

Those who have an immediate relative who has been diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps before the age of 60 should start the screening at age 40. Anyone who has a disorder that may predispose them to the risk of cancer, such as ulcerative colitis, may require a colonoscopy at an earlier age, which will be determined by a physician.

What Should Be Expected Prior to the Procedure?

Before everything begins, only clear foods and liquids can be consumed. This will include water, broth, coffee with no cream, gelatin, tea, and clear juices. Do not consume anything that is red, blue, or purple. The doctor may also require the patient stop certain medications for a period of time before the procedure. It may be necessary to take an antibiotic in certain circumstances.

A bowel prep will have to be done to get a good view of the colon. This will typically start on the day before, and it will include one of the following:

- A prepared laxative solution that can be mixed with an electrolyte solution or sports drink

- A laxative pill that is to be taken with fluids

- An enema that washes out the colon

Always be sure to complete the prep as instructed by the doctor. If this is not done per specifications, the doctor will not be able to see the colon clearly.

What Will Happen During the Colonoscopy?

During the procedure, the patient will be sedated with anesthesia. If there are things that the doctor is concerned about, he or she will remove anything they may see. A biopsy may also be taken for examination. The procedure may take anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes.

Afterward, the patient will rest for up to 60 minutes while the sedation wears off. The patient should have someone to drive him or her home because the sedation medication will make the patient drowsy. There may be some minimal discomfort and cramping.

Having a colonoscopy is an important part of maintaining good overall health. Follow the instructions per the doctor in order to lower the risk of cancer or other ailments.

When considering a colonoscopy, patients visit Northwest Gastroenterology Clinic, LLC. Learn more at http://nwgastro.net/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Andrea_Avery/663068

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Joint Replacement: A Brief Medical History

In any mechanical entity, whether it's a bicycle or a biplane, the components most likely to fail are those subject to continuous wear and tear. It is the parts that endure the stress of motion, often located where two parts intersect. In the human body, it's no different. While skin and bone can break from acute impact, the hinges of the human body where bones connect are at risk of little more than normal function and time. As a result, joint replacement is one of the more common types of prosthetic surgeries available in the United States.

Surgeons have been working to replace missing or ailing body parts for millennia. Egyptian mummies have been found with wooden toes, fingers, and limbs attached with leather straps. Joint replacement, or arthroplasty as it is known in the surgical community, was experimented with but not successful until the 19th Century. In 1822, Dr. Anthony White, working out of Liverpool in the United Kingdom, was responsible for the first excision operation that removed the leg portion of a patient's hip socket. While this preserved mobility, it left the connecting tissue perilously unstable. The first artificial implants and replacements were experimented with only a generation after Dr. White, but septic complications and infection rendered the vast majority of these operations unsuccessful. It wasn't until 1890 that Dr. Themistocles Gluck completed the first successful joint replacement when he implanted the first artificial knee. In 1891, Dr. Gluck successfully performed a hip replacement. In both cases, the implants were made of ivory and fixed to the bone with nickel plates and screws.

A seminal figure in surgery, largely responsible for the modernization of both the materials and methods used today, is Sir John Charnley. Charnley was an army surgeon during the Second World War, where he served in Cairo. His experiences during the war spurred his interest in prosthetics to improve the mobility and well-being of recovering soldiers. In the early 1960s, Charnley was given control of the surgical center at Wrightington Hospital in Lancashire. One of his major breakthroughs was to disprove the prevailing belief at the time that friction, which greatly inhibited the long-term viability of joint replacement, could only be reduced by fluids lubricating the interface of bones. Charnley showed that it was actually the friction coefficient of the bones themselves that reduced wear. With this knowledge, he sought out an ideal material, eventually settling on High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene, an early form of plastic. This advancement not only allowed for longer-lasting implants, but it also enabled them to be manufactured mechanically at a lower cost. Charnley was knighted in 1977 for his contributions to medicine.

Today, hip replacement surgery is one of the most commonly performed medical procedures in first-world countries. Joint replacement procedures allow millions of people around the globe to continue mobility into old age. Without the pioneering efforts of men like John Charnley, these advancements would not be possible.

When considering joint replacement, Birmingham residents visit Alabama Orthopaedic Surgeons. Learn more at http://www.alabamaorthopaedicsurgeons.com/.

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