Read on and find out how to tell the difference between your back pain and kidney pain. Learn what the most common causes of kidney pain in the morning are and how you can get rid of it with the use of simple, home remedies, and when it is necessary to visit a doctor.

Kidney Pain vs. Back Pain – How to Tell the Difference

The location of back pain and kidney pain is very similar as you usually feel it in the area of your buttocks and lower back. However, the pain is caused by completely different factors as back pain is usually caused by an injury, fracture, or disc herniation while kidney pain is usually caused by a kidney infection, kidney stones, or some other kidney disease.

The location of the kidney pain and back pain is very similar and because of that, you need to have a closer look at the accompanying symptoms if you want to know if this is your kidney or back that hurts. In case of the back pain, it often radiates to your hips or even knees, it may be followed by a recent back injury. The pain is usually more persistent or it occurs when you perform certain movements. You may also experience numbness in your anus, buttock, or genitals area, or you may have incidents of urinary or fecal incontinence.

Kidney pain, on the other hand, is often accompanied by such symptoms as fever, frequent and painful urination, you may vomit, or have nausea. You may also experience diarrhea or constipation, notice blood in your urine, you can feel dizzy, have chills, fatigue, or rash. Depending on the cause of the kidney pain, it is sometimes very strong, it may also radiate to your upper back.

Read: Lower Back Pain Could It Be My Kidneys ?!

Kidney Pain in the Morning – Most Common Causes

Kidney pain cannot be ignored as it may be the symptom of a more serious condition. In most cases, kidney disorders are the consequence of an untreated infection of the urinary tract. Have a look at the most common causes of kidney pain in the morning and other parts of the day.

1.     Kidney Infection

When some bacteria enter your urinary tract, a condition known as pyelonephritis develops. In most cases, it is the result of a urinary tract infection, which was ignored or left untreated for too long. However, other symptoms, such as nerve problems, kidney stones, or diabetes, may also end up with a kidney infection.

The most common symptoms of a kidney infection include urination difficulties, often with the presence of blood, flank pain in your lower back and buttocks, vomiting, nausea, and shaking chills.

2.     Kidney Stones

Other terms for kidney stones are nephrolithiasis or renal lithalsas. Kidney stones may be described as hard deposits, which are made up of salts and minerals which accumulate in your renal system. The stones may form in any part of your urinary tract system, from kidneys to the bladder. The best treatment for kidney stones is passing them. However, it is not always so easy as everything depends on the size of your kidneys. If they are small, simply drinking a lot of water may help you get rid of them. However, when the kidney stones are bigger, shockwave therapy might be necessary to break the stones down so that they are easier to pass.

Pain that results from kidney stones is extremely severe, it affects your lower back area, but it often spreads to other body parts too. Other symptoms include frequent urge to urinate with passing little or no urine, presence of blood in your urine, fever, chills, and fatigue. Kidney stones always require a medical consultation as if they are left untreated for too long, they may be potentially life-threatening.

3.     Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Urinary tract infections are very common and they may affect any part of your urinary system. The most common are infections of the bladder and urethra. Females develop a urinary tract infection much more frequently than males. The reason for that is that women have a shorter urethra, which makes it easier for bacteria to reach urinary structures.

The main symptoms of a urinary tract infection include the feeling of burning while urinating, the presence of blood in the urine, and flank pain in the lower abdomen or in the lower part of the back. A urinary tract infection should never be left untreated as it may lead to serious complications then.

4.     Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer is actually one of the most common kinds of cancer around the world. It is a serious disease, which is potentially life-threatening if not diagnosed at an early stage. Kidney cancer usually develops in two parts of this organ, which are the renal pelvis and renal tube. As in the case of any other type of cancer, it is caused by the uncontrolled growth and multiplication of cells that are cancerous.

Additionally, as in the case of any other cancer, the success of the treatment depends on the stage in which the disease was diagnosed. The earlier it is detected, the higher the chance of successful treatment.

Treatment to Kidney Pain in the Morning

In the next section, you will read about the best home remedies for kidney problems. However, it must be clear for you that you can follow them only if your doctor ruled out any serious kidney problems. Home remedies may also be a wonderful supplementation of medical treatment too. Nevertheless, you need to contact a doctor if you suffer from any pain in your kidney area.

The problem with kidney diseases is that they often do not cause any alarming symptoms for a long time and that is why it is extremely important to consult every abnormality with a doctor and to go to regular check-ups even if you do not experience any worrying symptoms. Simple blood and urine tests are done once or twice a year may prevent very serious health problems.

The infections of the urinary tract often require medical therapy with antibiotics or with other prescribed medications. If kidney pain is caused by a more serious disease, such as kidney cancer, surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy might be the solutions.

Kidney Pain in the Morning – Best Home Remedies

If you suffer from kidney pain in the morning, you should consult a doctor. However, if he ruled out any serious medical disorders, you can try simple, yet effective home remedies to urinary tract issues. Also, if your doctor prescribed you any medicines, ask him if you can combine medical therapy with home solutions for a faster recovery and better effects.

1.     Plenty of Water

It is probably the easiest and the most effective natural treatment you can follow. If you want your urinary tract to function well, you need to drink a lot of water on a daily basis. This way you will flush all the harmful toxins and bacteria from your body. What’s more, it also prevents kidney stones formation.

The recommended amount of water is about eight glasses a day. However, you need to treat the matter individually as for some people five or six glasses of water are enough to stay well-hydrated. You drink enough mineral water if you urinate frequently and your urine has a pale yellow color. Therefore, always keep a small bottle of water close to you and drink it throughout the day.

2.     Fresh Lemon Juice

The acid which you can find in lemons and other citrus fruit can fantastically detoxify your body and dissolve the kidney stones. Therefore, a great idea is to start your day with a glass of mineral water mixed with juice freshly squeezed from a lemon.

This simple method will generally improve the functioning of your urine system and digestive system. You can also continue to drink the mixture throughout your day. Thanks to this remedy you will get rid of any urinary tract infection more quickly.

3.     Prepare a Mustard Plaster

This method you can use externally as you apply a mustard plaster directly on the painful area. You need to gather some mustard powder, some flour, some water or an egg white, and Vaseline. First, mix the water with flour and then add the water or egg whites so that all the ingredients form a thin paste, but make sure it is not watery.

Now, start with spreading Vaseline over the painful body area and then apply on it the mustard paste. Leave it for a maximum of thirty minutes, but if you feel burning or irritation wash it off earlier. The mustard powder applied to the painful body area will warm you up and reduce the pain. You can use this method in case of kidney pain or back pain.

4.     Drink Dandelion Tea

Dandelion tea is a natural diuretic and because of that, it is highly recommended to people who often deal with urinary tract infections. It can also be useful if you suffer from kidney pain in the morning. Dandelion tea will make you urinate more frequently so you will release more toxins and bacteria from your urinary tract.

Additionally, dandelion tea improves the circulation of blood, which may also help you keep your kidneys healthy. Drink freshly brewed dandelion tea three times a day for the best results.

5.     Cabbage Leaves

Cabbage leaves are believed to remove the toxins out from your organism and therefore it is recommended to apply them directly to the painful body area. If you want the cabbage leaves to be the most effective, you should prepare a warm compress. In order to that, you need to gather cabbage leaves, some water, bran, onions, and gauze.

Chop the onions and place them in a pot with all the other ingredients. Boil the mixture until the water evaporates completely, which should take you about twenty minutes. Place the mixture on the prepared gauze and when it is still very warm apply it to the painful kidneys. You can keep it for a few hours or you can even leave it overnight.

6.     Tomato Juice

Tomato juice is extremely healthy as it is packed with all the important minerals and vitamins. Various scientific studies have shown that it can also help get rid of various infections and reduce pain. Of course, the most nutritious tomato juice will be the one which you will prepare at home.

Use organic tomatoes from a reliable source to prepare the juice. Peel the tomatoes and blend them. If it is too thick, you may add some water to it. Do not add any sugar, though, but if it is too plain for you, add to it a pinch of salt. Drink two glasses of the juice a day.

7.     Use Parsley

Parsley is another natural diuretic, which will make you pee more frequently and eliminate the toxins out of your urine tract. Moreover, parsley is packed with all the important vitamins and minerals. For example, it is a great source of vitamin C, which is necessary if you want to fight the infection more quickly.

You can use parsley in various ways to treat kidney pain in the morning. For instance, you can drink parsley juice or prepare parsley tea. You can also prepare a paste out of parsley leaves and apply them directly to the painful body area.

8.     Watermelon Seed Tea

Watermelon seed tea is also a wonderful and natural diuretic, which will help you detoxify your organism. By drinking the tea you will eliminate all the harmful bacteria and toxins out of your urinary tract. Watermelon seed tea will generally improve the functioning of your kidneys so it is worth drinking it even three times a day.

9.     Kidney Beans

Consuming kidney beans is reported to be an effective home remedy for kidney pain in the morning. In order to use this method, you need to boil some beans on a low flame until they get soft. Strain the liquid and wait until it cools down. Drink the liquid throughout your day to eliminate a kidney infection and pain more easily.

10.  Celery Juice

Celery juice is another wonderful home remedy to kidney pain in the morning. It is a powerful solution due to the antiseptic qualities of celery. It can help you treat a kidney infection by eliminating the toxins from your urinary tract. What’s more, celery juice may also break down kidney stones.

How to Prevent Kidney Pain in the Future

In most cases, kidney pain is caused by some urinary tract infections. Some individuals, mainly women, develop a urinary tract infection frequently. If this is also your case, there are some preventive measures which you should follow.

The key rule for you is to stay well-hydrated as it is the most natural and the easiest way to make your urine more frequently, which flushes the toxins and bacteria out of your organism. Thus, you should drink about eight glasses of water a day. Apart from the water you can also drink freshly squeezed vegetable and fruit juices or tea, but it is important that they are unsweetened. Still, however, mineral water should be your number one.

Secondly, if you have a tendency to developing a urinary tract infection, you need to have good hygiene routines. For example, if you feel that you need to pee, do not hold it, but just stop what you are doing and go to the toilet. Holding your urine can lead to the accumulation of bacteria, which are responsible for urinary tract infections.

Additionally, remember to wipe front to back after a bowel movement. It is especially important for women to remember that. When you wipe back to front, you spread the bacteria from your rectum into your urethra. Also, when you wash our vagina and anus area, be gentle, do not scrub, and do not use any harsh soap. Water itself will be enough to keep these areas clean. Optionally, you can choose mild soap created for your intimate areas only.

If you often get a urinary tract infection, you should rather take showers than baths as spending some time in hot water can make your urinary tract more vulnerable to infections. Also, do not use all these scented hygiene products or scented deodorants near your genitals. Do not forget about emptying your bladder after sexual intercourse too.

Your diet matters too when it comes to eliminating and preventing kidney problems. Therefore, reduce the consumption of red meat and make sure your diet is low in cholesterol. Fatty, salty, and over-processed foods have a bad influence on your kidneys and they can disturb their proper functioning. Generally, fresh vegetables and fruits should always be the foundation of your diet.

Do not eat meat every day, but consume vegetarian dishes a few times a week too. Fish is a great option as well because they contain a lot of omega-3 fatty acids. Food rich in fiber is crucial too as it guarantees you proper functioning of your digestive system. At the same time avoid unhealthy foods, such as fizzy drinks and sweets.

Alcohol is a very bad idea when you deal with urinary tract problems as it increases inflammation and the accumulation of bacteria and toxins. Therefore, limit drinking alcohol to special occasions only. Another bad habit is smoking cigarettes as nicotine has a very bad influence on your whole organism. Nowadays, there are various ways of quitting smoking, just ask your doctor about them.

Interestingly, physical exercises are important too, and can be helpful when it comes to preventing kidney problems. If you do some sporting activity regularly, you improve your blood circulation and your brain gets more oxygen. As a result, the whole of your organism functions better. Choose an activity that you like the most and be persistent.

Various studies have shown that it is better to exercise every day for thirty minutes than work out once or twice a day for even two hours. You may combine different sporting activities so that not to get bored too quickly. For example, you may go jogging, go for a swim, ride a bike, or work out at the gym. If you have not done any sporting activity before, start with simple things, such as going for a walk or using stairs instead of an elevator.

In the case of chronic or frequent urination problems, apart from the home remedies described in the previous section, you should also go for natural supplements. The most common and effective one will be consuming cranberries. They improve the functioning of the urinary system and are often recommended by doctors. You can either choose cranberry juice, fresh or dried cranberries, or supplements with cranberry extract. If you want to consume the juice or dried cranberries, make sure that you buy the ones which do not contain sugar or other additives.

As you can see there are plenty of methods that you can try at home to eliminate or prevent kidney pain in the morning or other urinary tract issues. You need to remember, though, that no home remedy will replace a visit at a doctor’s. Only if he recommends you such home solutions, you can safely use them. As kidneys disorders often do not cause any clear symptoms, it is extremely important to check every abnormality which worries you. It is the only way to prevent more serious kidney diseases or complications in the future.

The post Kidney Pain in the Morning: Causes, Treatment, and Remedies appeared first on Body Pain Tips.

Headaches During Pregnancy

Firstly, it is important to mention that if your pregnancy headaches are really bad then you should consult a doctor right away. The majority of headaches during pregnancy consist of sharp, shooting pains at irregular intervals and although are generally irritating they should be just about bearable.

If you believe your headaches to be causing you serious discomfort then look for advice from a professional straight away. Of course most of the time it will be nothing but you can never be too safe when pregnant so do make sure you have the all clear as it is always better to be safe than sorry.

The Cause of Headaches during Pregnancy

Although many women will associate pregnancy headaches with there being something wrong in most cases this is not the case at all. When a woman is pregnant her body goes through a lot of quite traumatic changes and the body often struggles to deal with these changes. The backlash? Side effects.

You need to remember that during your latter stages of pregnancy (and early stages to a certain degree) your body is being put under a lot of pressure both physically and mentally. Pregnancy headaches are believed to be caused by this pressure mounting, causing tension somewhere in the brain.

See: Reasons for Headaches in Pregnancy

On The Increase?

Lack of sleep can be a cause of headaches during pregnancy and therefore it is important to rest as much as you can. I know full well that this can be difficult if your baby has decided it does not want to follow your sleeping pattern but all in all more sleep should equal less frequency of headaches.

Headaches during Pregnancy First Trimester

Any woman in the first trimester of pregnancy will tell you that her body is going through a lot of transformations. She also experiences a lot of symptoms as a result of these changes.

For example, some women will complain about how their breasts seem to look bigger. Others report an increasing aversion to certain types of food, sometimes coupled with nausea or morning sickness. There are also women who complain about first-trimester pregnancy headaches.

The first trimester is riddled with problems as your body starts to adapt to pregnancy. Because of the relatively sudden increase in hormones, women may suffer from more frequent headaches.

• First-trimester pregnancy headaches are usually hormonal in nature.

As the baby starts to grow inside the uterus, it needs a special milieu of hormones. The fluctuations in these hormones have several effects on the mother’s body; for instance, blood vessels in the brain may dilate, leading to first-trimester pregnancy headaches. First trimester headaches, however, are not solely due to hormones.

• Morning sickness can lead to dehydration and hypoglycemia, both of which can cause first-trimester pregnancy headaches.

The first trimester can be rather problematic to pregnant women as this is the time when nausea occurs. When you experience morning sickness, you may not be able to replace your water losses effectively. The result: water depletion, which causes first-trimester pregnancy headaches.

• First-trimester pregnancy headaches may also be due to sleep deprivation, fatigue, or emotional strain.

Headaches, in general, have a psychological component; that is, emotional and mental stress can greatly increase the frequency of first-trimester pregnancy headaches. The first trimester is arguably the most important trimester as the baby’s major organ development occurs in the first 20 weeks. Accompanying this stage is an onslaught of bodily changes that put a lot of stress on you.

• During the first three months of pregnancy, some women also suffer from food aversions.

This may cause malnutrition and low blood sugar, making you more prone to first-trimester pregnancy headaches. The first trimester is expected to be particularly tricky when it comes to your diet; food aversions, however, should go away at around the start of the second trimester. At this time, headaches also start to resolve. First-trimester pregnancy headaches may be common in some women; fortunately, others experiencing frequent headaches before getting pregnant actually have fewer headaches during pregnancy. Nevertheless, any increase in frequency or quality, or any new symptoms that accompany a headache, should alert you to inform your obstetrician about your pregnancy headaches.

• First-trimester pregnancy headaches are usually benign and harmless

However, they may sometimes be a sign of an underlying condition which may be easily treated once diagnosed. It, therefore, helps you to learn about pregnancy headaches and their causes.

Many over-the-counter drugs are safe for women to use to alleviate first-trimester pregnancy headaches. The first trimester, however, is an important phase of the baby’s growth; the baby is most vulnerable to insults during this period, so any drug should be prescribed by the doctor before you start taking it.

Second Trimester

Headaches during pregnancy can and do occur throughout a woman’s entire pregnancy. Typically, the most painful and debilitating pregnancy headaches occur during the first trimester.

Headaches during the first trimester tend to be severe and uncomfortable but typically pose no threat to the developing fetus.

Headaches in pregnancy second trimester often are related to poor posture and may indicate serious complications.

The good news about headaches during the second trimester is that while they do occur in some women, they are typically infrequent and tolerable, and are usually not an indication of any serious underlying complications.

• The exception to this is migraines.

If the type of a pregnancy headache a woman experiences during her first trimester is migraines, these not only tend to continue well into the second trimester but may also worsen and become more severe.

These migraines are usually triggered by noises and various smells, particularly second-hand smoke.

If you experience a pregnancy headache during the first trimester it is more than likely related to your body attempting to adjust to the new change in hormones.

By the second trimester, the expectant mothers’ body has regulated this influx of hormones and the frequency and severity of headaches tend to decrease.

If a second-trimester pregnancy headache does occur it could be due to any of the same reasons associated with first-trimester pregnancy headaches: stress, hunger, or dehydration due to an increase in the bodily fluids necessary to support the developing fetus.

Some other causes of pregnancy headaches second trimester that is not often found during the first trimester are an increase in allergies and a heightened sense of smell.

• An increase in allergies may lead to an increase in a pregnancy headache known as sinus headaches.

These typically require no medical treatment and can be soothed with warm washcloths, steam, and hot tea. These sorts of pregnancy headaches also tend to represent no indication of harm to the developing fetus.

• Another cause, though not as prevalent as in the third trimester, of pregnancy headaches is a change in posture.

A growing uterus and an increase in the weight of the baby may lead some women to lose their good posture, but by making a conscious effort to sit up straight, these forms of pregnancy headaches can usually be avoided. As seen in the first trimester, tension headaches can also flare up during the second trimester but are usually soothed by massage.

Pregnancy Headaches second Trimester, although rare, can signal various health conditions that could lead to complications of the pregnancy.

The most typical complication indicated by increased pregnancy headaches during the second trimester is a disorder known as Preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia can be diagnosed by having high protein in the urine and an increase in blood pressure.

As with any sudden change in symptoms during pregnancy, when experiencing pregnancy headaches during the second trimester, it is always best to discuss your concerns and symptoms with a licensed healthcare provider.

It is also strongly recommended to discuss any forms of treatment with your provider.

Third Trimester

A headache in the third trimester is the most common. Check out this post.

How to Get Rid of Headaches during Pregnancy

A strong headache can be treated with paracetamol, but before resorting to drugs would be useful to try to relieve a headache with natural remedies.

For example, massaging the neck, going out to get some air, try to sleep or drink some water that hydrates the body and can alleviate the discomfort. A headache can also be caused by a drop in sugar, so you can try eating a cookie to increase blood sugar levels.

Finally, you can ask your doctor if you want to take a lavender or lemon balm herbal tea, which performs a relaxing action. For more information about getting rid of a headache during pregnancy, check out these articles:

See: How To Get Rid of Headache During Pregnancy

See: What to Take for a Headache during Pregnancy

Avoiding Headaches while Pregnant

Having a lot of headaches while pregnant is pretty common, so don’t be concerned if it feels like your head always hurts.  Most headaches during pregnancy are caused by hormones and an increase in how much blood is circulating in your body.  Hormones are surging constantly during pregnancy, and growing another human being inside your body naturally increases how much blood is flowing everywhere, including in your head.

There are a few things to mitigate your headaches while pregnant.  You may even be able to avoid some headaches with a few simple changes.  For example, not getting enough sleep can cause headaches.  This may be a difficult thing to change because sometimes it may seem impossible to get some sleep.  However, you can help your pregnancy headaches a little bit by simply taking a nap.  Sometimes just lying down in a dark room can even help your headache, even if you can’t get to sleep.

You should also make sure you’re getting the proper nutrition during your pregnancy.  Some headaches are caused by low blood sugar, so eating a meal can be a simple solution to some headaches while pregnant.  Dehydration also causes headaches, so make sure you’re drinking plenty of water.  After all, the baby needs water too!  Also try to avoid caffeine, although cutting caffeine completely out during pregnancy can be difficult if you typically consume large amounts each day.  Caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches, so you might not be doing yourself a favor if you swore off all caffeine the moment you got pregnant.  In order to cut the caffeine, you’ll have to take baby steps to get yourself off it, much like a drug.

Also, try to avoid common headache triggers like chocolate.  Fresh yeast can also cause severe headaches, so avoid eating too much freshly baked bread.  Also, yogurt can cause headaches, believe it or not, so limit how much yogurt you eat.

Too much stress can also cause headaches while pregnant, so try to calm down just a bit.  Pregnancy is a stressful enough time on its own, but any small things you can do to relieve stress will help.  Try getting a special pregnancy massage if you’re experiencing a high level of stress constantly.  You’ll feel better immediately after you leave the table.

Good posture is also an important key to avoiding headaches while pregnant.  If the blood can get to your entire body evenly, you’re less likely to get a headache.

If you do happen to get a headache during your pregnancy, most over-the-counter pain relievers will help.  It will also help to know what kind of a headache you have.  If your sinuses are bothering you, then try a warm compress around your eyes and nose.  However, a cold compress will work better if you’re feeling a lot of tension.

Headaches during pregnancy can also be a symptom of a more serious problem, so ask your doctor if you’re concerned.  Headaches can indicate preeclampsia or high blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy.  Preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia, which can be a very deadly problem if it’s not treated early.

The post Headaches During Pregnancy – Ultimate Guide appeared first on Body Pain Tips.

Heel Pain Types

Generally, heel pain is classified according to its cause and/or its location on the heel:

Plantar Fasciitis

This is the most common cause of pain in the heel. Plantar fasciitis results from overstretching of the plantar fascia, the ligament bundle that runs from heel to toes on the underside of your foot and supports your arch. Owing to unaccustomed burdens or activity, this ligament is stretched, suffering tiny tears, and becomes inflamed and, consequently, less pliable. The pain is usually located on the forward underside of the heel at the plantar fascia’s insertion and is most pronounced early in the morning or after a period of inactivity.

Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot disorder that causes pain in one or both heels. Treatment for plantar fasciitis can include both immediate relief from the pain and long-term solutions to address the underlying causes of plantar fasciitis. Many methods of treatment will accomplish both short-term pain relief and contribute to a longer-term solution.

As soon as you notice the symptoms of plantar fasciitis, you can begin several at home treatments. Applying ice to the heel or arches of the foot can lessen the pain immediately and can help to reduce inflammation. Ice can be applied by holding an ice pack or ice wrapped in a towel can be applied directly to the affected area. Another useful way to apply ice and massage the arches at the same time is to freeze some water in a small plastic bottle and roll the iced bottle along the arch of the foot. Ice should never be applied for longer than fifteen minutes in one session.

Arguably the most important at-home treatment for plantar fasciitis is stretching. Because plantar fasciitis is often the result of not enough flexibility in the plantar fascia, stretching can be highly beneficial. In fact, many physiotherapists and podiatrists will advise specific exercises to help treat the condition. The most common method of stretching is to do a standing lunge against the wall with your back foot approximately two feet from the wall and your front knee slightly bent. Hold this pose for twenty seconds to stretch your calf, and then bend your back knee slightly to stretch your Achilles tendon. This will also help to stretch the plantar fascia. Another way to stretch is to stand on a step or stair with your heels hanging off the edge of the stair. If heel pain is severe when first getting out of bed, try the following stretch: While still lying down, take a towel and place your foot in the middle. Grab onto each end of the towel with your hands and straighten your leg as much as possible, pulling your foot into a flexed position.

Massage is another treatment method that provides relief for some sufferers of plantar fasciitis. The goal of massage is to loosen the plantar fascia, which is the long band of tissue running from the heel to the toes on the underside of the foot. Massage can be done with an ice cylinder, a wooden “foot roller,” a golf ball, or just by using your hands, with essential oils ideal for the job.

Whilst the wrong footwear can contribute to plantar fasciitis, the right footwear can provide short and long-term relief. Make sure that the shoes you wear – especially for walking or running – provide good arch support. The soles of your shoes should be firm, not flexible so that with each step you are not over-stretching your plantar fascia. Many people find wearing a shoe with a slight heel helps to keep the pressure of the heel of the foot and thereby relieves the pain of this condition. It is the same principle that makes heel seats such an effective treatment option.

When at-home approaches to plantar fasciitis do not provide satisfactory results, there are additional treatments that a podiatrist or foot specialist can perform. These treatments include steroid injections into the heel, prescription orthotics for arch support, and as a last resort, surgery. Most doctors would first recommend that an individual exhaust the more conservative at-home treatments outlined above prior to injections, costly orthotics, or surgical interventions.

Read: How to Treat Plantar Fasciitis in The Heel

Heel Spur

Spurs are often associated with plantar fasciitis but are not necessarily caused by it. Most often, a spur is a bony calciferous growth—a calcium deposit that has grown over time in response to inflammation and irritation—near the plantar fascia insertion on the forward-facing part of the heel bone. This pointed hook-like projection protrudes into the surrounding tissues and causes pain, which often increases after rest and decreases with activity. A heel spur can also occur on the bottom or back of the heel.

Cures and Treatment of Heel Spurs

Treatment procedures of heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are identical, although when heel spurs have formed surgery may be required to remove the spurs to allow full healing. Plantar fasciitis and heel spur surgery is a last resort when noninvasive treatments for heel spurs have proved ineffective. Most heel spur treatments are easy to undertake, and need not involve spending money. Many people get cured at home with very little help from medical professionals, with nothing more than rest, plantar fasciitis stretches and a period of abstinence from sports.

Ways to Cure Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis:

• Complete and thorough Rest – The primary step which will get you well on the road to recovery is resting. You should discontinue jogging and other high impact athletic activities and sit it out. Relaxing and resting the affected foot speeds up the recovery process remarkably. However, stretching is important as during rest the plantar fascia contracts, which can lead to pain as the plantar fascia stretches when the first steps are taken
• Icing the affected foot – Massaging the foot with ice on regular basis for 15 minutes a day will help soothe the foot and reduce inflammation
• Perform appropriate exercises – Stretching the plantar fascia twice daily using specific plantar fasciitis stretches to gently stretch the plantar fascia will help to prevent painful episodes and will speed up the healing process
• Medication and NSAID drugs – Medication that reduces inflammation can be helpful. These medications will provide fairly fast pain relief. Ibuprofen is a good over the counter medication to help ease inflammation. Be sure to read the indications carefully, and do not overdo it. Ibuprofen taken in excess can cause serious health problems
• Orthotic inserts, orthopedic shoes, heel seats, braces, and splints – These are all effective treatment options made specifically to speed up recovery from heel spurs and plantar fasciitis.

The Side of Heel Pain

In the case of pain on the side of the heel, the two major culprits are usually stressing fractures and lateral nerve irritation. Runners commonly suffer from these conditions and experience this kind of pain. Side heel pain is also sometimes related to plantar fasciitis.

Back of heel pain

Pain at the back of the heel, or posterior heel pain, is often a result of Achilles tendonitis or retrocalcaneal bursitis, an inflammation of the protective sac of fluid, the bursa, under the heel. This condition is generally caused by a sudden, sharp impact (jumping onto a hard surface, for example) or repeated pounding on a hard surface.

Read: 4 Tricky Causes Pain in The Back of Your Heel

Heel Pain Causes

The causes of heel pain are many and varied. There are, however, a few common, identifiable causes. The most common is probably weight gain, with stress due to vigorous activity like athletics a close second and age third. Additional causes include shoes with poor footbeds, arthritis, nerve entrapment, and abnormal walking positions and gait. Most of the time, pain in the heel can be attributed to trauma, stress, irritation, or all three.

If heel pain affects your walking, occurs at night or during rest, or persists for more than a few days, then you need to seek treatment. Conservative self-treatments include rest, ice packs, stretching, massage, taping the sole of the foot, and anti-inflammatory medications.  The goal of these treatments is to control or reduce inflammation and promote healing, to relieve the pain and keep it from recurring.

Read: 5 Medical Problems That Cause Heel Pain

Heel Pain Treatments

One of the more effective treatments is the use of orthotics and better shoes. Orthotics such as inserts and heel cushions are designed not only to relieve the pain but also to correct the condition causing the pain. Properly fitting shoes with a sturdy, well-designed footbed and good arch support can go a long way toward relieving pain in the heel. Some athletic shoe makers are now specially designing shoes with additional stability features that will allow people suffering from heel pain to continue playing their favorite sports—or just to function pain-free in their everyday lives. Here’s what to look for in shoes:

• Adequate arch  support
• Sufficient padding in the heel area to slightly elevate the heel and absorb shock
• A fit and design that will ensure proper foot alignment and a normal gait when you walk
• A durable, shock-absorbing sole
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Pain in Heel Causes and Treatment, Last Updated: 30/12/2017

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The secondary types of headaches include a cervical headache. Such headaches usually have an average intensity and are located in the neck, neck, in the frontotemporal region, and in the sockets. Prolonged exposure in an uncomfortable position, sharp movements in the neck, fatigue, hypothermia, pain increase. It is often felt discomfort and pain in the neck when turning the head. Likely dizziness and darkening of the eyes, nausea, unsteadiness, autonomic disorders. The investigation of a cervical headache is the instability of the cervical vertebrae, spinal osteochondrosis, namely the cervical spine.

The secondary headaches include, and vascular headache. This pain is a result of cerebrovascular disease and combined with other symptoms of Neurology.

Vascular headaches are often accompanied by cerebral ischemia, manifested by high fatigue.

Causes of Headaches

It has long been proven is the fact that a headache cannot be tolerated, but the doctors also claimed that do not stand, you need to find the root cause of her pain. Every doctor says that the main reason is in different places, such as a neurologist says that the main cause of a headache is exclusively in the brain, physicians, in turn, argue that the cause of pain in the blood vessels, and neurologists – due to stress.

And in some ways, of course, these experts are right, the headache does not wash only occur due to a certain reason. The head can be sick for various reasons: the constant lack of sleep, stress, deficiency in the body of certain vitamins and trace elements, etc.

In medicine, there is such a definition as a “helmet neurotic,” or even his “called a tension headache”, the cause of such pain tension in your neck. The causes of this disease may be fatigue of the body or a very strong emotional shock.

There are many causes of headaches. It can be due to various changes that occur in the brain and its membranes, vessels, soft tissues. Also, the reason may be a variety of diseases that arise in different systems and organs of the human body.

In fact, the headache may occur due to no less than 45 different diseases, abnormalities, and malfunctions in the body. But if doctors do not reveal any pathology, the blame may be functional disorders – namely, changes in the normal operation of systems and organs. Their cause displacement of bone cells or internal organs. Most often this occurs because of injuries or various ligaments and muscles spasms.

A headache can be caused by many factors. For example, mechanical, that is – the influence of external factors. Also, it may be a thermal factor – the increase in body temperature, overcooling or overheating. Finally, the chemical factor that is – the influence of exogenous and endogenous chemicals that reduce the pain threshold.

This can happen, for example, with food poisoning, uremia, and alcohol intoxication.

There are some types of headaches, as vascular, neuralgic, hallucinatory, liquors dynamic and mixed.

And risk factors for the occurrence of headaches are such as infectious diseases, smoking, harsh noise, intoxication, fatigue, bright lights, odors and more.

A bit of a headache

In most cases, the headache does not require any operational measures. Usually, it occurs from muscle tension, the surface of the skull. Well, or changes in the condition of vessels, such as a migraine. A headache affects external coverings of the skull and not life-threatening.

In general, a causeless headache already has cause for concern. When it is connected directly to the structures inside the skull.

Typically, the headache occurs on the following factors: muscle tension and inflammation; allergy; eye disease or ears; sinus infection; subsequently heat stroke; rapid weight gain; violation of the kidneys; blurred vision; for minor ailments; as well as inflammation of the artery.

Very strong and persistent headaches late in pregnancy, warn of possible dangers for both mother and child. These pains are symptoms, toxemia of pregnancy. The name of this, quite a rare disease called Preeclampsia is the fact that the mother’s body negatively reacts to being in the middle of the fruit.

The causes of this rare phenomenon remain unknown. This disease mostly occurs in women who are waiting for the firstborn. The probability of its occurrence is reduced in those women who have a sufficient amount of protein, calories, as well as a good rest and enough exercise.

A headache – a sign of various diseases

A headache can cause a variety of diseases. This may be meningitis, brain tumor, brain abscess, brain injury, acute ischemic stroke and much more. Also, the pain is considered a consequence of ingestion of some of the toxin, i.e. – intoxication. Another reason may be the development of microbes poison, such as pneumonia, influenza, the use of alcoholic beverages or another poisoning.

In addition, the headache can occur due to disease processes in the front part of the head, for example, in the paranasal sinuses: frontal sinusitis, sinusitis, inflammation of the tonsils or tonsils, runny nose.

Very often, the headache is the pathology of the gums or teeth. For example, when poorly installed seals, inflammation of the dental pulp, if there are sores due denture stomatitis while (ie, ulcer on the mucous membrane of the mouth), herpes.

The cause of pain may lie outside the brain and facial parts. For example, a headache with cervical osteochondrosis. The pain occurs in 95% of the inhabitants of the city.

Cervical osteochondrosis – changes in the structure of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, which irritate the nerve roots.

Also, headache may be under reduced pressure.

If there is a headache, it is necessary to measure blood pressure, temperature. If they are, then you need to going to the doctor to find out the exact diagnosis.

A cluster headache

A cluster headache suffers about 0.1% of the population. Of these, the majority – 80% – are men.

This pain is caused by several attacks. It happens several times a day for several weeks, maybe months. Then the headache can suddenly disappear for a few months or years.

This attack lasted 15 minutes or an hour. It is characterized by a very large pain. Sometimes there were even cases of suicide because of this pain.

Initially, he lays his ear and a sharp pain behind the eye begins. It is possible to observe the appearance of red eyes and tears. Sometimes blockage of the nasal cavity, sweating or flushing.

A cluster headache usually affects one side of the face, but it can move to the other side under the following attacks.

What are the reasons for such a terrible headache? This cyclical disorder. And this syndrome is associated, as shown by the facts of today, with the human biological clock.

It is known that the biological clock controlling body temperature, enzymatic activity, hormonal secretion, and other human physiological response.

People who suffer from cluster headaches, there are difficulties with the management of all these rhythms.

Cluster headaches are difficult to cure because they are not short-term. For treatment use breathing oxygen through a mask, exercise or exiles tools that are used only under medical supervision.

Directions a headache

Variants of headaches in the literature are divided into four main areas. The former include the pain of liquors dynamic disorders and organic brain diseases. These include headaches in brain volume formations, pain due to head trauma or inflammatory diseases.

The second direction – vascular headaches. This migraine, that is – when attacks occur a throbbing headache on one side of the head. There may also be nausea, light, or phonophobia and vomiting. Migraines are hereditary and often it affects young women.

To this direction also treat pain in patients with arterial hypertension. This pain occurs in the back of the head or neck.

The third direction – psychogenic headache. These include a tension headache. It occurs when the mental strain, as a result of the stress.

Fourth, the last area – headaches extracerebral reasons.

These include headaches, infectious diseases, the action of chemicals or drugs (oral contraceptives, caffeine, nitrates, alcohol, benzene, lead, etc.).

Also in this headaches neck pathology skull, eyes, nose, ears, teeth, mouth or other facial or cranial structure. They also may be associated with metabolic disorders or osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

Pain in the left temple

A very large number of patients, who were treated to a specialist, a neurologist, to suffer because of pain in the left temple. Special studies in this area have shown that seventy percent of the population of civilized countries complain of recurrent or persistent headaches, and most often it is in the left temple. At the same time, a lot of people suffering from such pain do not want to go to the doctor and self-medicate. As a result, taking OTC analgesics, abusing drugs, even more, harmful to your health and get pretty nasty side effects such as allergies, liver disease, kidney, and stomach.

The causes of such pain, in fact, a lot. It can be autonomic dysfunction, increased intracranial pressure, infections, intoxication, violation of the tone of the arterial and venous vascular beds. As well as pain in the left temple may be the consequence of psychogenic or be caused by the start of the menstrual period. Women are more prone to this kind ailments like a headache. And it starts with the girl at puberty, due to hormonal surges.

A headache in children

Children often complain of relatively headache. Often it is said to the doctor, it has the nature of good and only in exceptional cases may be due to common or serious neurological diseases. And therefore important to pay attention to the child’s complaints, sometimes more, and does not know how to formulate exactly what was wrong with him.

Often children identify a psychogenic headache. Depression, fear of school enrollment may be due to such pain and becomes stronger if the child has difficulty in passing the curriculum and a lack of contact with parents or peers. A psychiatrist or a neuropsychiatrist can help these children.

Sometimes parents are afraid that their child has a headache from a tumor in the brain. Although this reason is rather rare, still must be screened to avoid any suspicion. When a child headache fever and neck muscles are stretched, making it difficult to tilt the head forward, it may be meningitis.

The post All You Need To Know About Headaches: Causes, Symptoms and Locations appeared first on Body Pain Tips.

Those who suffer from hip pain know how truly excruciating it can be. The hip joint, a ball-in-socket joint comprising of the femur, the head of which represents the ball, and the hip socket, is subject to much wear and tear during everyday use, thus explaining the relatively common nature of hip pain. An injury to this joint, or the area around this joint, can cause excruciating hip pain and can make simple everyday tasks like standing or walking virtually impossible.

First, ask yourself these three questions to make sure you know what you’re looking for:

– Is your pain in or near the red area is shown in the picture?

-If not, then you might want to be read up on the human anatomy.

• Does the pain feel like it is caused by tissue or bone?
• Does the hip pain only happen at certain times or in certain positions?

Now, let’s break it down a bit further. Make a note if any of the following are true:

• You have sharp pains in your hips during quick muscle movements (i.e. jumping or changing direction).
• Your hip hurts while running, cycling, sitting, squatting, etc.
• There is a pain in your hip when you move your knee in a circular motion.
• There is a pain in your hip at some other time.

If any of the following are true, then guess what? You’ve got hip pain.

Causes of Hip Pain—There’s a reason for it.

Do you have a health problem?

Were you fighting crime with Batman last night?

Did you get hurt cleaning your bathroom?

The thing about hip pain is that there are many things that can cause it. It could be the result of health problems that have evolved over time or the result of one single event.

Here are the most common causes of hip pain:

• Overloading the muscle tissue during explosive movements
• Poor hip mobility or body mechanics
• Collisions: falling, car accident, trampled by a reindeer
• Normal wear and tear—it gets everyone at some point

Here are some more specific causes for the hip pain to help you out.

It’s a real pain to pinpoint it, I know. Luckily, we have the answers.

Hip Pain Relief—Let’s fix you up.

Now it’s time to address your hip pain head-on.

Here’s a fact: Most people have problems with hip pain because of poor hip mobility, body mechanics, and/or muscle weakness.

All of these things are, for the most part, preventable which makes the fact that they happen so frequently kind of dumb.

Here is another fact that explains a lot:

• Most people are too lazy to make an effort to relieve their pain. They’d rather suffer through it until the day they die than actually take action to fix it.

If you’ve read this far and didn’t just skip to this section of the page, I’ll give you some credit. You’ve done a whole lot more to fix your pain than most people would.

If you’re in your 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, or 100’s, don’t just tell yourself that “your body falls apart as you get older.”

While that may be true, the second you let that determine the rest of your life, the game is over for you.  The same thing goes for anyone that’s younger.

I know two types of people in the 50+ crowd.

There are those who are strong and healthy and there are the ones who choose to hit up their favorite fast food restaurant 5 times a week, and guess what?

The strong and healthy ones are freaking awesome, and the others are typically a pain to deal with.

Anyway, this is the part where I tell you to pony up and do something about your hip pain regardless of your age or physical abilities.

Your shining knight/beautiful princess isn’t going to bust down the doors of pain and save your hips. This one’s up to you.

So, jump off the ship of complacency and take action. Now.

Informational Video:

We’re going to run through some common hip pain symptoms in a moment.

But before you jump into any form of hip pain treatment, you need to make sure that the problem is really with your hips.

It wouldn’t you any good to cut off your arm if the real problem was a toothache.

So, let’s make sure the problem is with your hips before taking action to address it.

First, take a look at your own symptoms, so you can make educated comparisons with the symptoms that are commonly associated with hip pain.

Hip Pain Symptoms: Identify your own Symptoms

Where is your pain?

Look at the pictures and make sure that your pain is in, or near the area highlighted in red.
If your pain matches up, just make a mental note of where it hurts.

Your hip pain may be in a single joint or it may span the length of an entire muscle.  It can go as high as your belly button and as low as your knees on the front, back, and sides of your body.

When does it hurt?

Are there specific things that cause your hip to start hurting or things that make the pain worse?

What’s your pain feel like?

Does it feel like your pain is caused by bone or tissue (i.e. muscle, tendons, ligaments)? Does the pain occur suddenly or is it continuous?

Compare your Hip Pain Symptoms

Now, take your problems and start looking for similarities with these hip pain symptoms. Here’s a list of common symptoms that highlight potential problems with your hips:

• Sharp pains during quick muscle movements. This means it hurts while:
  • Sprinting
  • Changing direction
  • Kicking, etc.
• Continuous pain in your hips while sitting in a chair or lying down.
• Pain when your leg is rotated.
  • Try moving your knee in large circular motions. Does that cause pain?
• Pain when pressure is applied to the area. Try gently pressing down on the painful area.
• Pain during impact exercises.
  • Does it hurt if you jump several times or after you go for a long run?
• Pain that runs from your hip to your knee. Does the pain run down your leg?
• Difficulty moving your leg into certain positions.
  • You may have flexibility issues resulting from muscle tightness.
• Do you have pain in your buttocks, groin area, lower back or on your sides?

Now that you’ve made the comparison between your own symptoms and the list of common hip pain symptoms, did you find any that match up?

If you did, the next step is going to be determining exactly what is causing your hip pain.

From there, you can start doing a bit of hip pain treatment to fix the problems. Then, you’ll be on your way to pain-free living—that’s the goal anyway.

Just remember, knowing what is wrong is worthless if you don’t take action to fix the pain. As always, it’s up to you.

Hip Pain Causes: Figure out what’s causing your pain

Often, hip pain is associated with older people, and it does indeed affect the elderly. However, hip pain can affect anyone at any age, even children. The overarching effects of hip pain are a result of the numerous and varying causes of hip pain. Ailments from arthritis to snapping hip syndrome can cause hip pain. The hip joint itself could be injured, or perhaps the area surrounding the hip joint, there are numerous possible sources of hip pain. Though the sheer number of causes of hip pain can render hip pain difficult to diagnose, most treatments, even the most invasive, are fairly straightforward and pain-free.

Let’s jump straight into this with details. Here are the main hip pain causes:

Muscle Overloading

It’s exactly what it sounds like. Too much stress is placed on your hip muscles causing them to overstretch.

This leads to tears in the muscle tissue. It’s frequently caused by sprinting, jumping, sneezing, and lifting things incorrectly.

Hip injuries caused by overloading:

• Hip Flexor Pain—front of hip
• IT Band Pain—side of hip

Wear and Tear

It gets to all of us at some point, but it can be combated quite effectively.

Cartilage deteriorates, muscles tear, and bones crack.

The problems associated with normal wear and tear are made worse by muscle weakness, obesity, and poor body mechanics. Wear and tear are caused by life in general, as well as, repetitive motion exercises and poor body mechanics.

Hip injuries caused by wear & tear:

• Stress fractures
• Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Tendonitis

Mobility Problems

These include joint restrictions, soft tissue restrictions, tight muscles, and problems with your range of motion. Basically, your mobility is how well your body is able to move around.

The best way to keep your body functioning problem-free is to by performing regular maintenance on the individual parts.

Obesity

Obesity sucks. I have close friends and relatives who are overweight and I hate watching their lives be affected by it.

Carrying around extra body fat increases wear and tear on your body.

It can also cause significant mobility issues if it limits a person’s ability to do things.

If you have a machine that doesn’t move for a year or two it usually has problems, your body isn’t any different.

Obesity isn’t usually the primary cause of hip pain.

Instead, it just accelerates the wear & tear which actually cause the hip pain.

Muscle Weakness

When was the last time you picked up something heavy?

If your body is too weak to maintain healthy positions, it will assume positions where excessive stress is placed on your muscle tissue, ligaments, and joints.

For example:

If you have hip pain running, your body is probably trying to compensate for muscle imbalances or weakness.

Muscular issues frequently cause poor running mechanics which lead to hip pain, shin splints, knee pain, and other types of pain.

The bottom line:

Everyone needs to consistently do some form of strength training, regardless of your age or gender.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to be lifting giant boulders, but you should at least be able to move something that is your own body weight.

The awesome thing about getting stronger is that it just takes one decision. You just have to decide to pick up something heavy and do it correctly.

Poor Body Mechanics

Think about the way you move your body.

• How do you pick up heavy things?
• How are you sitting right now while reading this?
• How do you run?

Poor body mechanics cause hip pain. The good thing is that they’re pretty easy to fix.

Now that you’ve evaluated these hip pain causes, you just need to know what to do.

Then consciously and consistently do it.

Hip Pain Treatment

Anti-inflammatory medications are commonly prescribed, as are cortisone shots. In more serious cases, repair surgeries involving plates and screws may be called for, and in the most serious cases of hip pain, hip replacements will be authorized. However, numerous advances in medical technology have even made the hip replacement a fairly simple procedure. Further, even though hip pain is relatively difficult to diagnose, the specific location of the pain gives vital information to diagnosing the cause of the pain. Unfortunately, there are cases where the cause of hip pain cannot be treated, in such cases, physical therapy is often used to ameliorate the pain.

As with many types of pain, a lot of people have the inclination to not call a doctor and attempt to diagnose, treat, or even ignore the problem, often treating with repeated doses of over-the-counter painkillers. If you choose to follow this path, take the recommended amount of pain relievers, try to stay on the hip, apply ice and, if possible, heat to the hip. Allowing the pain to continue for more than a few days, however, poses long-term, serious risks to health.

Hip Pain Relief: Time to Treat Your Pain

You and I are going to focus on hip pain treatments that will allow you to avoid hospital operating rooms.

In order to permanently relieve your pain, you first need to do two things:

• Realize that your body needs consistent maintenance in order to function pain-free.
• Motivate yourself to relieve your pain.

If you are ready, it is time to get you some hip pain relief…

R.I.C.E.

The rest, ice, compress and elevate process should be used to reduce swelling when treating new muscle injuries. If your problem is not a fresh muscle injury, check the other treatments. The R.I.C.E. treatment is pretty simple, here’s what it is:

• Rest

  Take things down a notch, but don’t completely stop.

• Ice

  Apply something cold to the painful area to reduce inflammation.

• Compression

  Wrap the injured area tightly, but not too tightly.

• Elevation

  Raise the injured area above your heart (if possible).

Mobility Work

The purpose of mobility work is to relieve hip pain by fixing tight muscles, soft tissue restrictions, joint restrictions, and other problems that affect your range of motion. Mobility work essentially makes your body better at moving around.

Types of Mobility Work for hip pain relief:

• Self-myofascial Release (i.e. Foam Rolling)
• Dynamic Stretching
• Static Stretching
• Joint Mobility/Rotational Exercises

For 99% of people, mobility work is the best way to relieve hip pain. If you are in this boat, go get the Free Mobility Pro Toolkit.

Correcting Body Mechanics

Do you walk, run, sit, or lift like Quasimodo?

I know I do sometimes.

The problem with poor body mechanics is that they cause mobility problems and muscle imbalances.

Mobility restrictions and imbalances produce pain.

Here are the times when people usually get it wrong:

• Running—heel striking
• Lifting—improper positioning and pulling
• Walking—feet splayed like a duck
• Sitting—shoulders rolled forward

Body mechanics can have a significant effect on your body.

They are easy to mess up, but they are also easy to fix.

Correcting your body mechanics can produce immediate pain relief.

Weight Loss

Obesity causes additional stress on your body. This extra stress will produce hip pain. The only way to treat this problem is to lose the extra body fat.

There are only two things you need to lose body fat:

• Proper nutrition

  If cavemen would not know what it is, do not eat it.

• Rigorous Exercise

  Jogging on a treadmill 4 times a week is not enough.

Do these two things consistently and you will be feeling better in no time. Do not be afraid of taking action. Don’t let fear prevent you from living life on your terms.

Medication

First off, medication is not the long-term solution. Using medication as a crutch for hip pain relief causes other problems.

The best treatment plan is always the sustainable one, but sometimes specific anti-inflammatory drugs can accelerate the recovery process.

If you do choose to take medication to relieve hip pain, try to use a non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory-drug like ibuprofen.

Other pain relief medications, such as aspirin, are antithrombotic and may not be a good choice if you have any type of bruising. Antithrombotic drugs act as blood thinners, making it difficult for blood to clot. If you have to bruise this may prevent your body from healing.

When it comes to medication for pain treatment, you should always check with your doctor before taking anything.

Hip Pain – Side Effects

For instance, if hip pain forces an individual to limp, avoiding treatment not only puts the hip at risk but also the legs and feet that are forced to work abnormally. In addition, overuse of pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can cause long-term stomach or liver damage. It’s generally recommended to contact a physician if hip pain persists for more than a few days, if hip pain persists even while taking medications, if walking causes discomfort, if pain occurs even when the hip is not working, if you are unable to bend the hip, or if significant swelling occurs on or around the hip area. A physician will be able to diagnose your hip pain quickly and effectively, provide or prescribe proper treatment, and help you end your excruciating hip pain as quickly as possible.

The post Hip Pain: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments and How To Relieve it appeared first on Body Pain Tips.

Overview of The Different Types of Headaches

For many people, a headache is an infrequent annoyance that disappears after swallowing a few tablets. But for chronic headache sufferers, the effects can be far worse. The World Headache Alliance has fourteen different classifications of headaches, from tension headaches and Migraines to headaches caused by ocular diabetic neuropathy.

Three of the most common forms of chronic headaches are tension headaches, Migraines, and cluster headaches. The likelihood of being afflicted with different headache disorders seems to be gender-related, with women three times more likely to suffer from Migraines, and men four times more likely to get cluster headaches.

The most common type are tension headaches, these are caused by tensing of the muscles around the neck and upper chest due to stress or physical strain, these are characterized by a pain starting at the base of the neck and working up the scalp. Sinus headaches are generally a dull pain in and around the nose that is caused by congestion from a cold or flu, allergies; sinus headaches must be treated to prevent a more serious condition. The most painful types of headaches are vascular headaches. Vascular headaches are caused by blood sugar changes, high blood pressure, and include migraines, they are characterized by local and sharper pain that can be worsened by light, sound, and even smell and cause high sensitivity and pain that may result in fainting or vomiting.

Cluster headaches are often called “suicide” or “ice pick” headaches due to the excruciating stabbing pain in or near the eyes. This type of headache disorder is rare, with less than 0.5% of the general population affected. A migraine, in comparison, affects roughly 10% of the population, causing pain that can range from irritating to debilitating. Most headaches (over 66%) are tension-related headaches with over 60% of people suffering at least one tension headache each year. Tension-related headaches, unlike Migraines and cluster headaches, generally produce a steady ache rather than intense throbbing or shooting pains.

The most common treatments for headaches are analgesics such as aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen. For more severe chronic headaches, however, a physician may prescribe antidepressants, muscle relaxers, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. With proper treatment, most headaches are gone within an hour or two, but in severe cases, the pain can last for days or even weeks without relief.

Primary Headaches

Headaches are generally classified as belonging to one of two types, primary headaches, and secondary headaches. At the risk of oversimplifying things, primary headaches have their roots in the head, and secondary headaches have their causes elsewhere. The person having the headache may not notice any difference between the two while a headache is in progress, but a primary headache is one that can be treated directly (whether the treatment leads to a cure or not), while a secondary headache requires treatment of the underlying cause in addition to treating the headache.

Primary headaches include the following:

– A migraine

Perhaps the most infamous form of head pain is a migraine. These vascular headaches are caused by an enlargement of blood vessels that triggers a release of chemicals from the nerve fibers around large arteries in the brain. These enlarged blood vessels stretch the nerve fibers, causing a release of chemicals. This chemical release further enlarges the arteries and causes further inflammation and pain.

Common Symptoms of Migraines:

• Often pounding, pulsating, or throbbing pain
• Pain can move from one side of the head to another
• Moderate to severe pain
• Recurrent headaches lasting between 4-72 hours
• Sensitive to light, odor, and noise
• Fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Upset stomach, nausea or vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of Appetite
• Dizziness
• Bright flashing dots or lights, blind spots, wavy or jagged lines (aura)
• A feeling of being extremely warm or cold
• Paleness
• Fever (in rare cases)
• Hyperactivity, depression, repetitive yawning, food cravings the day or two before (only for migraines with aura)

If you experience several of the symptoms, contact a doctor in your area to determine whether you have migraines and how to treat them.

“The International Classification of Headache Disorders.” Cephalalgia:An International
Journal of Headache 24.1 (2004).  Accessed September 28, 2011.

– Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are the most common form of headaches, affecting 30-78% of the general population according to various studies (1). Despite the prevalence of tension headaches, they are also the least studied form of headaches. Doctors still are unsure of the exact cause of tension headaches. Scientists previously thought these headaches were caused by muscle spasms in the neck, face, and head area but now experts are beginning think changes in brain chemicals may also be the culprit.

Most tension headaches are not serious and do not last longer than 30 minutes to 7 days. However, some people suffer from chronic tension headaches. If you’ve suffered from a tension headache for 15 days a month for 3 consecutive months, you may have chronic tension headaches. Consult a doctor in your area about diagnosis and treatment.

Common Symptoms of tension headaches include:

• A constant headache, not throbbing
• Sleep disturbances and difficulty going to sleep
• Aching in back of head and neck
• Constant fatigue
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Muscle aches
• Mildly sensitive to light or noise

(1) “The International Classification of Headache Disorders.” Cephalalgia: An International
Journal of Headache 24.1 (2004).  Accessed September 28, 2011.

– Cluster Headaches

Though uncommon, cluster headaches are possibly the most severe forms of headaches. About 20% of people with cluster headaches suffer from chronic conditions.

If you’re experiencing several of the following symptoms, contact a doctor in your area to discuss diagnosis and treatment.

Common Symptoms of Cluster Headaches:

• Pain located behind one eye or in the eye region
• Burning or piercing pain
• Throbbing or constant pain
• Attacks lasting 15-180 minutes
• Attacks occur once to eight times a day
• Nasal congestion
• Agitation
• Restlessness
• The desire to pace or move around during attack to cope with pain

“The International Classification of Headache Disorders.” Cephalalgia: An International
Journal of Headache 24.1 (2004).  Accessed September 28, 2011.

Secondary Headaches:

Secondary headaches result from other medical conditions like infections, trauma, tumor or head injury, so the list of possible causes is a long one. Probably the most common cause of a secondary headache is trauma, being hit in the head or neck. A headache often will accompany a concussion, or be experienced by someone who has suffered from whiplash. A secondary headache can also be one of the symptoms of the flu or pneumonia and even a bad cold. While a headache, in this case, may not last long and maybe a mild one, it is apt to return until the underlying condition has been treated and cured. That is the nature of a secondary headache.

Vascular problems sometimes manifest themselves as a secondary headache. The conditions that lead to angina will on occasion cause pain in the head as well as in the chest. Usually when an activity that is being undertaken when such pain occurs ceases, the pain, both in the chest and in the head goes away. Also, arteries or veins in the neck or head can become inflamed, triggering a secondary headache.

– Sinus Headaches

When the ducts in the back of the nose become inflamed, sinuses are less able to drain. This creates a build of pressure in the affected sinus and causes a build-up of pressure in the affected sinus as mucus and fluid increases. This causes swelling and inflammation in the sinus which triggers headaches. Sinus headaches are often associated with infection.

Common Symptoms of Sinus Headaches:

• Dull, the increasing sense of pressure
• Pain in the sides of the nose and the area underneath and above the eyes (where sinuses are located)
• Pain with changing the position of the head
• Tenderness to touch in areas of the sinus

Common Symptoms of Sinus Infections:

• Green or yellow mucus
• Fever, chills
• A sore throat
• Swollen lymph nodes

“Sinus Headaches: Symptoms and Treatment”. 
http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/guide/sinus-headaches

– Cervicogenic Headaches

Cervicogenic headaches are caused by neck disorders and originate in the cervical spine (or the part of the spine connecting to your head.) Causes of cervicogenic headaches can range from an injury to the cervical spine like whiplash or an

illness like arthritis. If you’re experiencing the following symptoms, consult a doctor about diagnosis and treatment.

Other Headaches

– Hormonal Headaches:

Is a type of a headache that occurs in many women before or during menstruation. This Type of a headache is a nasty headache often a nagging form of a headache that is very annoying. Generally, it more severe than a tension headache.

The symptoms associated with hormonal headaches are:

• Pain on both sides of your head
• Dull and pressing pain
• Annoying nagging headache
• A headache is moderately intense to intense
• The pain varies in intensity during the day.

In addition to the above-mentioned characteristics, you can also suffer from the ‘normal’ menstrual complaints such as:

• Acne
• Depression
• Compulsive eating
• Dizzies
• Tension, irritation
• Weight gain
• Swollen and/or painful breasts
• Skin rash (spots)
• Cramp in the abdomen
• Inflated, stuffed belly
• Pain in the back
• Fatigue
• Changing Moods

– Rebound Headaches:

When you make use of medications for more than the recommended time and exceed instructions on the labels or the advice of your physician you may be at risk of a rebound headache which is more likely to happen if the medications used contain caffeine that is normally found in many drugs.

See: What Do Rebound Headache Feel Like

See: Medication Overuse Headache

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Headaches

Due to high pressure within the brain which may cause a severe headache

See: https://bodypaintips.com/get-rid-high-blood-pressure-headaches

These are the common headache types that most persons will be affected by during their lifetime.

A stress Headache

A stress headache, which in turn are additionally referred to as stress or tension-type headaches, is considered a popular situation, which can affect anybody and frequently result from psychological or actual physical stress. Luckily, the signs of a stress headache are workable; but, headaches, which develop following a head injury, tend to be followed by blood loss from the head or perhaps feel similarly to the most horrible headache of your own life, which will require quick healthcare examination. Think about this important info extracted from the Mayo Center, the Nationwide Library of Medication as well as the United States College of Doctors regarding the signs of a stress headache.

Head Problems

Individuals with stress headaches might have ache almost all over the head, instead than trouble, which is localized to a specific area on the head. The pain might extend towards the region of the temples as well as forehead, down to finally the ears as well as down the back of the neck. Individuals with stress headaches might recognize the feeling of pain as enduring her or his head in a vice holder.

Sleeplessness

Stress might result in individuals to have a hassle of dropping or keeping asleep. Getting comfortable whilst relaxing might be annoying whenever the whole head is throbbing with distress. Individuals who suffer from stress headaches might also wake up within the night time as an outcome of the problem.

Muscle Pain

Muscle pains might develop in the top body in individuals with stress headaches. Individuals might notice tight muscle tissue in their muscles as well as upper back and also might feel as if they have knots in most of their muscle tissue. Individuals with stress headaches might unintentionally tighten the neck muscles or perhaps the muscles of the main jaws, which in turn can potentially lead to neck and also jaw problem.

Sensorial Changes

Individuals with stress headaches might be delicate to changes in the weather conditions or perhaps indoor temperature for the purpose of the length of a headache. Many of those who are considered subjected to colorful lighting or alternatively high sunshine might have an issue adjusting their eyes whilst they have a headache. Individuals with stress headaches might also turn out to be more sensitive to or perhaps have reduced tolerance for loud sounds.

Upset Tummy

Individuals with stress headaches might lose their urge for food for the length of a headache, which in turn can be many days. s, which are caused by feeling nervous, or staying a long time in a baking room might be followed by sickness, although regurgitation is uncommon. Individuals with stress headaches might find that obtaining a Lite meal of boring dishes can help to settle the tummy as well as can deter blood refined sugar from falling too Low, which in turn can worsen head pain.

Types of Headaches Chart Conclusion:

 Image Source: http://ayucar.com

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While there are many contributing factors to leg cramps, there are no fully known causes of night leg cramps.  These contributing factors include being overweight, certain diseases and medical conditions, being older and various changes in diet and exercise.  These contributing factors increase the chances of you getting sudden leg cramps at night, but they can’t be seen as an absolute predictor.

Leg Pain and Cramps at Night

Night leg cramps are harmless, but the pain can be intolerable, which will make it hard for you to sleep or can jolt you to wakefulness when you are already sleeping soundly.

The condition is also called nocturnal leg cramps. The pain involves the legs, calf muscle, thighs, and feet. When the pain hits, your first resolution is to stretch the contracted muscle with force in order to relieve the discomfort.

There is no need to worry because this is not a sign of an underlying condition, but there are certain health problems that make patients prone to cramps, such as peripheral artery disease and diabetes.

The pain lasts for several seconds to a few minutes, and only on rare occasions will it last longer than that. The pain can be severe that your muscle will feel tender the whole day. The older you get, the more prone you become to leg pain and cramps at night.

It is said that one in three people who are 60 years old and above experience the condition, with the statistics being doubled for those who are over 80 years old.

What Causes Leg Cramps at Night?

The real reason for the cramps is still unknown, but there are certain theories about why it happens. One theory states that it is common to happen at night since you are in the same position for a long period.

As a result, the calf muscle is shortened, which stimulates the contraction. If the condition persists and the pain is becoming intolerable, you can consult a general practitioner or a primary care physician about it.

The doctor will examine your legs and feet and will ask you about the symptoms and severity of pain. While there are medications that can cure the pain, the cramps can get better in time even without undergoing treatment.

Other Conditions Cause Leg Cramps at Night

The condition is typically experienced by those who are suffering from the following health conditions:

• Chronic kidney failure
• Addison’s disease
• Dehydration
• Gastric bypass surgery
• Alcohol abuse
• Hypothyroidism
• Cirrhosis
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Diarrhea
• Lead poisoning
• Sarcoidosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Motor neuron problems
• Peripheral artery disease
• Type 2 diabetes

You are also prone to cramps if you are in the third trimester of your pregnancy, your work requires you to stand for a long period, and you are taking oral contraceptives and certain medications, such as statins, diuretics, and salbutamol.

This is also likely to happen to people who sweat a lot, especially when the weather is hot. By sweating profusely, your body will lose a lot of salts and will make you prone to experience leg cramps.

If you cannot do anything about it, the least you can do is to take the necessary supplements or add more salt to your diet in order to prevent its recurrence.

Stretching Exercises for Leg Cramps

Here are some effective exercises that you can do in order to avoid leg cramps. You can do one or all of these twice or thrice a day:

1. Exercise the muscle by walking on tiptoes for a couple of minutes.
2. Keep your legs straight and gently bend your ankles backward.
3. Position yourself with a distance of a meter from a wall. Stand with your feet flat on the floor. Lean toward the wall with your arms stretched out. Make sure that your feet remain flat on the floor. Hold the pose for 10 seconds and go back to your starting position. Repeat the sequence up to 10 times.
4.  Jiggle your legs.

Leg Cramps Home Remedies

Here are some effective remedies that you can do for leg pain and cramps:

• Make sure that your toes are supported when you are sleeping.

If you prefer lying on front, allow your feet to hang on the edge of the bed. If you lie on your back, put a cushion or pillow behind your feet.

• Let the sheets and blankets lose in order to keep your toes and feet from pointing downwards as you sleep.
• Choose the right footwear, especially if your feet have structural problems or they are flat.
• Engage in the right exercises. Do not overdo it, especially the movements that will take a toll on your leg muscles.
• Drink plenty of fluids and make sure that your body is always hydrated. Athletes take sports drinks that help in avoiding cramps and in relieving the pain.
• Take a warm bath to help the muscle relax. As a substitute, you can also put a heating pad on the aching part of your body.

You can also use a cold pack, but do not put it directly on your skin. Wrap it in a cloth before placing it on your leg.

• Stretch your calf muscle and perform a quick massage until the pain is gone.

Ways to Prevent the Cramps

• Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid drinking any beverages that contain alcohol.

• Make it a habit of performing leg stretching exercises, especially before you sleep at night.

• Follow a balanced diet that is rich in nutrients, such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
• A good form of exercise that can stretch your leg muscle is biking. You can also use a stationary bike if you aren’t used to riding a bike.

Painkillers for the Cramps

Painkillers are effective in reducing the pain, but they take the time to start working. If the cramp is severe and your muscle feels tender several hours after, you can take over-the-counter painkillers.

Most doctors recommend pain medicines, such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and Acetaminophen. Make sure that you take the medications as per your doctor’s advice and always follow the instructions on the label.

The simple fact is that night leg cramps are generally seen as an annoyance by most medical doctors rather than a serious issue.  But anyone who has experienced these severe and persistent leg cramps can attest, they are much worse than just an annoyance to be brushed aside.  As the medical community continues to increase its understanding of the muscular and skeletal systems in our bodies there is an increased chance of actually finding the causes of leg cramps and designing a drug or program to prevent them.

What To Do For Leg Pain & Cramps at Night, Last Update: 12/4/2017

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Wrist Pain Causes

When any part of your wrist is injured, you are likely to feel pain. You find it difficult to use your hand and wrist. The injury is one of the more common wrist pain causes. The injury may be a result of a sprain or fracture. It can also result from using or moving the wrist repetitively, causing it undue stress.

When you hit a tennis ball, play the cello, or drive cross country with no break for hours, the repetitive wrist movement can cause the joint tissue to swell. Wrist pain can result from De Quervain’s tendinosis or tendinitis. This is the inflammation of the wrist tendons located at the base of the thumbs. The condition is usually a result of overuse or repetitive wrist movement.

The pain can also be a result of carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition that is caused by a pinched or compressed nerve in the wrist. You also experience wrist pain if you have arthritis. Arthritis refers to the condition where your joints become inflamed due to the deterioration of the cartilage (found between the joints) which serves as a cushion.

Wrist Pain Symptoms

The most common wrist pain symptoms depend on the cause. If your wrist pain is caused by De Quervain’s tendinitis or tendinosis, you are likely to feel a sudden or gradual pain around the area of your thumb. The pain can travel from the thumb and up the forearm. You will find it painful to turn your wrist, to grasp or hold objects, or to make a fist.

The symptoms may also be a result of carpal tunnel syndrome, a common nerve disorder. The pain affects the fingers, particularly the middle finger, index finger and the thumb, making it difficult for you to get a firm grip on objects. The symptoms can also show on the forearm, wrist, and palm. These areas are likely to feel numb or weak. Or they may have a tingling sensation.

The discomforts and pain are usually stronger at night. If the wrist pain is caused by a fracture or a broken bone, you are likely to feel a lot of pain and stiffness. Your hand may swell. You may find it difficult to move your hand because of the intense pain.
Arthritis is another leading cause of wrist pain.

When you lose cartilage in the joints of your hand, it becomes painful to move certain parts including the end joint (the area close to the fingertip), the middle joints of the fingers, as well as the base of your thumb. The areas can swell and become stiff, making movement difficult.

Wrist Pain Diagnosis

Wrist pain diagnosis can be reached through several tests and methods:
• Physical Exam
Your doctor will check for inflammation, tenderness, or any irregularity. He will check the range of motion of your wrist, the strength of your forearm, and the power of your grip.
• Imaging Tests
If he finds it necessary, he will ask for imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or ultrasound tests. These tests provide a more detailed view of your wrist and the surrounding areas so your doctor is better able to make a sound diagnosis.
• Arthroscopy
If the imaging tests do not produce conclusive results, your doctor may perform an arthroscopy, inserting an arthroscope into your wrist for more precise imaging.

Wrist Pain Treatment

The common wrist pain treatments will depend on several factors including your general health and age, as well as on the type, extent, and location of the pain.
• Medications
You can address wrist pain by taking pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. These are available over the counter. If you want stronger painkillers, your doctor may be able to prescribe these for you.
• Therapy
Wrist pain and tendon issues can be addressed by specific therapeutic exercises and treatments. A physical therapist can suggest the therapy most appropriate for your needs. In case of a really bad fracture or sprain, your doctor may recommend a splint or cast.
• Surgery
In severe cases like broken bones, severe carpal tunnel syndrome, and ruptured ligaments and tendons, your doctor may recommend surgery.

Home Remedies and Prevention

Wrist pain can be a result of many factors. Your doctor needs to accurately diagnose your condition and pinpoint the exact cause of the pain so he can prescribe the appropriate treatment. There are many cases, however, where wrist pain may not require extensive medical care.

The pain may be a result of a minor sprain. You may try to apply basic wrist pain remedy to address the problem. You have many options. If you play tennis or play a musical instrument that requires extensive wrist movement, you may want to give your wrist a rest.

You may also want to apply a cold compress on the swelling. An ice pack works well to relieve pain and inflammation. You may want to take an over-the-counter analgesic or anti-inflammatory medication for wrist pain relief. It is also prudent to take specific measures to protect your wrist.

Make sure that you get enough calcium to strengthen your bones. You prevent fractures if you have strong bones.
When you fall, you instinctively try to stop the fall with your outstretched hands and injure your wrist in the process.

Take precautionary measures to prevent falls. Use sensible shoes. Get rid of home hazards. Make sure that your living space has adequate lighting. If you engage in athletic activities, make sure that you use the necessary protective gear. Use wrist guards for activities like rollerblading, snowboarding, or football.

Be conscientious about ergonomics. Make sure that you take breaks regularly if you spend long hours at your keyboard. When typing, keep your wrists relaxed. If necessary, get a gel or foam wrist support or an ergonomic keyboard to prevent wrist pain.

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Lower Back Pain Causes

Depending on the study were data collected from776 patients from the book called “Back Pain And Sciatica,” written by Prof. Dr. Janko Popovich, No apparent reasons were more than 86% of the causes.

What are the more common lower back pain causes? Some cases of lower back pain may be attributed to osteoarthritis, degeneration of the spinal column, osteoporosis, or, in very rare cases, spinal tumor or infection. These cases are not common, though. The most common type of lower back pain is classified as nonspecific pain. The pain cannot be attributed to any specific disease or problem. Rather, it is usually diagnosed as a consequence of common skeletal or muscle issues. It can result from over-stretching or sprain a muscle or ligament. It can be a result of small problems in any tissue or structure of the lower back. Your doctor may be hard-pressed to identify the exact cause of the pain. Contributing factors to lower back pain include age, genetics, poor posture, stress, smoking, occupational risk factors, obesity, sudden weight gain, and poor physical condition.

Lower Back Pain Symptoms

Symptoms are frequently characterized by severe or dull and constant pain. They are usually triggered when you engage in a strenuous physical activity, lift a heavy object, or do anything with abrupt and sudden motions. The pain can be so severe that you find it difficult to stand or walk.  It can be accompanied by mild or severe muscle spasm. It can affect your upper thigh, buttocks, or groin. Your back feels tender and sore.

Lower Back Pain Treatment

Treatment depends on your history, as well as on the type and the degree of pain. Back pain usually gets better within a month and a half using non-invasive treatments. If the pain continues or worsens even after treatment, your doctor may recommend diagnostic procedures, and sometimes, surgery.

Conventional treatments include the following:

• Rest

You may have to stop any strenuous activity if the pain becomes really bad. You may need to rest for a couple of days to allow the injured tissues or nerves to heal. When you have recovered, your doctor is likely to recommend regular exercise for building strength and flexibility.

• Keeping active

When the pain is manageable, it is better to move around and keep active. You may find it a bit difficult to do so, especially during the first few days after your rest. Accept the discomfort. As long as you are not doing anything that gives you a lot of pain, keeping active is good. You may have to start slow and set new goals when you notice a decrease in the pain.

If you are employed, report back to work as soon as you can. Do not nurse the pain. Do not wait for it to completely disappear. Working may provide pain relief. It is good to go back to a regular pattern or schedule of activities. It will take your mind off the pain.

• Comfortable Sleep Position

When you go to bed, look for a position that is natural and comfortable. It may help to put a small pillow under your thighs to help alleviate the pain at night. Make sure that your mattress provides adequate support for your back.

• Medications

You can choose from many prescription and over-the-counter drugs to help ease the lower back pain. Some drugs decrease swelling. Others inhibit pain signals from reaching your brain. Consult your doctor about the advantages, risks, and side effects related to the drugs before you take them.

You can use simple pain medication to alleviate the pain. Acetaminophen or paracetamol is usually the recommended first medication. You can take it at full strength (1000 mg) 3 or 4 times daily.

Also, you have to try anti-inflammatory painkillers if they work better for you, or you can take ibuprofen, naproxen, or diclofenac. Do not take these drugs, though, if you have hypertension, asthma, heart condition, or kidney problems.

If simple pain medications do not work, you can try stronger painkillers or opioids for relief. Make sure that you take a lot of water and fruits and vegetables to avoid constipation, a common side effect of the drugs.

If the muscles in your back tend to tense up from the pain, this may make the pain worse. You can take diazepam, a muscle relaxant, for a few days. Limit your use of this drug, though. It can be habit-forming.

If the unrelenting back pain significantly affects your mood, you may try antidepressants or seek to counsel.

• Cold and Heat Therapy

The use of a hot compress or an ice pack is usually recommended to reduce inflammation.  You may use both alternately.

• Exercise

A lower back pain treatment strategy always includes an exercise regimen. Physical exercise is considered essential for alleviating back pain and rehabilitating the spine.

Lower Back Pain Exercises

Lower back pain exercises should include low impact aerobic conditioning in the form of walking, biking, or swimming, stretches, and strengthening exercises. These three components aim to build a stronger and suppler spine.

An effective back strengthening exercise program should be comprehensive, gradual, controlled, and progressive. A regular exercise routine will help you become healthy, strong, and flexible. It will help reduce the recurrence of the pain. It will also help minimize the degree and duration of the pain should it recur.

Your exercise rehabilitation program will depend on your diagnosis and severity of pain. A spine specialist can help you develop a program customized to meet your requirements. He will also teach you how to execute the exercises using the right form and technique.

Lower Back Pain Diagnosis

Diagnosis will take into account any history of the condition, as well as the circumstances surrounding your present lower back pain. Your doctor will ask you to describe the pain. Where is its exact location? What kind of pain do you feel? Is the pain sharp or dull and throbbing? How painful is it? When did you start to feel the pain? Can you find some relief for the pain in certain positions or activities? Are there positions or activities which make the pain worse?

When the pain is intense and fails to respond to the usual treatments, your doctor may recommend the use of other diagnostic tools to help determine further interventions. An x-ray gives more substantial information about the state of your spine. It shows your spinal stability, as well as indicates the presence of fractures or tumors in the area. A C.T. scan gives cross-section images of the spinal discs and the vertebrae. It helps check for stenosis of the spine or herniated disc. A myelogram helps to identify problems within the nerve roots, spinal cord, and spine. An MRI scan helps to evaluate problems in nerve roots and lumbar discs. It also helps to rule out spinal tumors or infections as possible causes of your lower back pain.

Lower back pain is usually caused by joint or muscle problems and other similar mechanical issues. In most cases, your doctor may not be able to pinpoint the exact cause of the pain. Even without this precise data, however, he can still prescribe an effective program for relief.

He will prescribe further testing if the pain persists or becomes worse even with the recommended treatment. He will also do so if the so-called “red flags” – high fever, sudden and unexplained weight loss, or worrisome problems with movement or sensation — accompany the pain.

Lower Back Pain Relief

You can do several things to ensure lower back pain relief.

• Make it a point to stretch and warm up your muscles before you engage in strenuous physical exercise or other demanding activities.
• Stand or sit with your back held straight. Do not slouch. You help support your back by reducing curvature.
• Work on surfaces that are of a comfortable height.
• Choose chairs which provide adequate support for your back. Make sure that they provide the proper height for the task that you are doing. To prevent lower back stress, try to switch your position every now and then.
• Occasionally take a break from your desk by walking around and stretching your muscles. If you have to remain seated for a long period, keep your feet elevated by using a stack of books or a low stool for support.
• Make sure that your shoes are low-heeled and comfortable.
• When you sleep, opt for a naturally comfortable position. Draw your knees up to reduce the spine’s curvature. The prescribed fetal position helps to reduce pressure on the spine by opening up the joints.
• Stay away from lifting objects that are exceedingly heavy. Remember to maintain the right position when lifting objects. Bend your knees. Contract your abdominal muscles. Lift with your upper arms, allowing your core – and not your back — to carry the weight. Keep the object that you are lifting close to your body.
• Avoid excessive and sudden weight gain. When you are heavy, you tend to tax the muscles in your lower back.
• Eat well. Make sure that your diet includes Vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium to promote healthy bones.
• Stop smoking. The habit lessens the flow of blood to your lower spine, contributing to the degeneration of the spinal disc. It also promotes osteoporosis and slows down healing.

See Also

• * Upper Back Pain (In-depth)
• * Middle Back Pain (In-depth)

The post Lower Back Pain: Causes, Symptoms, Exercises, Treatment & Diagnosis appeared first on Body Pain Tips.

Upper back pain can be a symptom of any condition. Therefore, thorough medical assessment and performance of diagnostic tests should be done by a licensed health practitioner prior to determining the real cause of upper back pain.

Types and Sources of Pain

Before delving deeper solely into the mechanisms of upper back pain, it is important to know about the different types of pain and their corresponding sources. Pain can be acute if it occurs suddenly, has a short duration (less than six months), and is easily treated or alleviated by medication, rest, or other forms of treatment. If the pain persists over a period of more than six months and does not respond to treatment well, this is classified as chronic pain.

Chronic pain is further subdivided into three types:

• Chronic Non-malignant Pain

  This type of chronic pain is characterized by being recurrent and continuous. It is experienced by those who have severe burns, back pain, or rheumatoid arthritis.

• Chronic Intermittent Pain

  As its name suggests, this type of pain occurs only at specific times while pain-free periods occur. This is usually experienced by those who suffer from migraines, cluster headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and other gastrointestinal disorders.

• Chronic Malignant Pain

  This pain type is associated with the diagnosis of cancer and can be caused by cellular destruction, deep bone pain, nerve injury, infection, or lack of oxygen supply to affected body parts.

As a person suffering from upper back pain, you will need to know if the type of pain you have is acute or chronic. This will help your physician in accurately diagnosing the cause of the pain. Furthermore, determining the source and cause of one’s pain is equally important to understand the person’s pain experience and provide steps to alleviate it.

Cutaneous Pain

This type of pain is characterized by a sudden onset of sharp pain or by a slow onset and burning feeling. This tends to occur when the skin surface is damaged and the nerve endings for pain are stimulated. It is usually easily localized and treatment can begin right away.

Deep Somatic Pain

Somatic pain is characterized by less localized, diffused pain, and is often coupled with nausea, decreased heart rate, fainting, pallor, sweating, and other somatic symptoms. This occurs because the pain originates from the deep body structures and then this pain radiates from the primarily affected site. For instance, deep somatic pain occurs in people with lumbar disk problem, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteomyelitis.

Visceral Pain

If the somatic pain is caused by damage to the body walls, muscles, and bones, visceral pain is caused by pain originating from damaged body organs. It is characterized by a dull, poorly localized, vague pain that radiates to different parts of the body. Conditions that bring about visceral pain are acute appendicitis, cholecystitis, and inflammation of the gallbladder, pancreas, ureters, kidneys, lung walls, gastric tract, and the heart muscles. Visceral pain is also known to cause referred pain.

Referred Pain

Referred pain is the term used for pain felt in a part of the body that is distant from the source of the pain stimulus (usually visceral body organs). The pain may depend on the damage and the stimuli from the affected organ/s. It is often confusing and thorough assessment is needed. For example, having a heart attack is commonly associated with pain in the left arm, jaw, shoulder, and back. Often, it is not felt as pain in the heart. Referred pain to these areas occurs since the nerve endings surrounding them are also near the nerve endings of the heart.

Upper Back Pain Causes

Lower or upper back pain, especially if chronic, most likely is a referred pain. This symptom appears due to a problem with a deep somatic and/or visceral organ. The pain is experienced in different locations in the upper back due to the location of the spinal cord nerves connected to the affected organ.

See: Upper Back Pain Causes

Upper Back Pain Symptoms

There are several symptoms associated with upper back pain and this may be throbbing pain or you may experience piercing or sharp pain or it may be a localized pain. Again, this pain is to be of a permanent nature or only appears when you undertake any particular physical activity. The pain may be severe to chronic and require immediate medical help and hospitalization.

When you experience upper back pain you may have a fever as well as a headache. In most cases, there will be neck pain combined with shoulder pain. Many people experience stiffness in the back while others have reported of swelling or redness on the back. In course of time, you will experience discomfort and fatigue while this may also lead to sleeplessness, anxiety, stress, and depression. Under such circumstances, it is always better to consult with your doctor for his or her expert opinions.

The presence of upper back pain can be caused by a number of conditions. It can be due to a localized, superficial wound that you have not noticed before, or it could be from over-exercised muscles, or it is referred pain from other organs. Below are the most common upper back pain symptoms and the most likely underlying conditions that cause them.

• Pain in the ShouldersThis could be radiated pain from the inflammation of the pleural cavity surrounding the diaphragm. This can occur after a blunt trauma during motor vehicle accidents, falling, even during hazing.
• Upper Back Pain between Shoulder Blades This type of pain is the hallmark of cholecystitis, the inflammation of the gallbladder wall. This condition needs immediate medical attention since it may require surgery.
• Pain in the Left Jaw, Neck, Shoulders and Middle Back This type of referred pain is associated with myocardial ischemia or heart attack. The type of pain experienced is often sharp and occurring suddenly in the upper back.
• Pain in the Upper Right Back (Right Scapula)This type of pain may extend to the upper right shoulders and often indicates a perforated duodenal ulcer or cholecystitis. If the referred pain is associated with cholecystitis, the pain may occur suddenly, increase over time, coupled with tenderness in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.
• Upper Left Back PainThis is one of the signs of pancreatitis. This referred pain can also extend to the middle back.
• Pain in the Area below the Shoulder Blades (Scapula)It is often indicative of a penetrating duodenal ulcer.
• Pain in the Area along the SpineThis pain could be a sign of spinal fracture or compression that is common in osteoporosis. Consult a doctor for accurate diagnosis of this type of pain.
• Pain in the Middle BackConstant, dull referred pain in the area around the middle back (posterior to the rib cage) is often associated with the distention of the renal capsules, a condition caused by acute pyelonephritis.
• Generalized Lower and Upper Back Pain in WomenThis may occur in obese, pregnant, or women who frequently wear high heels. High heels cause overstretching of the spine’s curvature which ultimately leads to pain.

Treatments for Upper Back Pain

Upper back pain relief can be achieved with pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic means. However, for severe upper back pain caused by a chronic disease, medical or surgical treatment should be explored first in order to alleviate pain more effectively. In concurrence with these treatments, non-pharmaceutical-based interventions can then work wonders for pain relief and reduction.

Medications

If your upper back pain is caused by a chronic malignancy or by a condition that affects deep somatic organs like the bones, anesthetic agents may be prescribed by your physician. Another treatment course is the use of analgesics. Depending on the cause, intensity, distribution, duration, and quality of pain, your doctor will follow the World Health Organization-approved “pain ladder” to manage pain.

The first step involves the prescription of non-opioids like acetaminophen or NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). If pain persists, step two calls for mild opioid-like codeine and oxycodone coupled with the previous non-opioid analgesics. Still, if the pain is unrelenting, step 3 will involve giving strong opioids like morphine sulfate and fentanyl with or without the non-opioid analgesics.

When taking pain medication, it is important to remember that some pain medications have a ceiling effect. This means that these medications have a maximum effective dose and taking more of it will not further alleviate your pain. You should also be aware of drug tolerance and dependence. Most step 2 and step 3 pain medications are highly-controlled substances to help prevent drug dependencies.

Non-Pharmaceutical Pain Treatments

Cutaneous Stimulation

This is a form of pain reduction therapy where the unaffected side of the body is stimulated to arouse the inhibitory neurons in the spinal cord. This can decrease the pain’s intensity and also serves as a form of distraction.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

This is the use of bursts of electricity through the skin to reach deep and superficial nerves. This is most useful for those with chronic arthritic pain.

Massage

Upper back pain relief usually comes after a good back rub. This form of stimulation to the back is relaxing and can block pain to help you get a good sleep. Foot massage or reflexology can also work.

Acupressure or Acupuncture

Thin metallic needles inserted into meridian points in the body. It is believed that through this procedure, the body’s vital energy is influenced and helps in decreasing pain.

Music

Music therapy can be used to calm and provide the distraction from aches and pains. You can listen to slow, calming soundtracks or musical accompaniments.

Progressive Relaxation Training and Deep Breathing

These are easy-to-form upper back pain exercises that are effective in reducing muscle tension on your backs and in decreasing anxiety. You can listen to these relaxations and breathing exercises at first and do them on your own once mastered.

Humor

Reading, watching, listening to comedic skits and shows can help increase the immune system’s Natural Killer (NK) cells. Nevertheless, laughing helps you feel better and become more relaxed.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback teaches control over one’s body’s reactions to pain using biofeedback equipment. The machine shows your temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and other vital signs. Depending on your reaction to the electrical impulses sent through the electrodes attached to you, you will gradually be able to learn to manage your body’s response to pain triggers.

Magnets

This form of alternative pain relief method is popular in East Asian countries. It hypothesizes that the magnets’ pull force increases blood flow to the affected body part and thus decreases pain.

Heat and Cold Applications

The use of warm and cold compresses, especially if they are within 4 to 5 degrees of the body’s temperature, can provide pain relief. If your back hurts, make sure to change your compresses within 5 to 15 minutes to ensure the effectiveness of this technique.

Meditation

Meditation is a well-known but less practiced therapy to alleviate pain. When done correctly, your attention will be away from your pain. Whether you follow a specific meditation technique or just focus on the flow of your breath, it leaves you relaxed and peaceful afterward.

Rhythmic Breathing

This can be used as another method for upper back pain relief as it can alleviate pain when the baroreceptors of the heart and carotid sinuses are stimulated. In this method, you will follow a rhythmical breathing pattern that will activate the brain’s gray matter. After doing this for quite some time, the process becomes automatic and your attention is diverted towards your breathing and its rhythm, not to your pain. This type of breathing technique is also used in the Lamaze birthing method.

Guided Imagery

Another non-pharmacologic way to reduce pain is through the guided visualization of a pleasant experience. With the help of a coach, you can imagine scenes, sounds smell that is pleasant and which will distract you from any pain. This technique is most commonly used with biofeedback and relaxation for optimal benefit.

Hypnosis

This technique is often used for those experiencing chronic pain. It is performed by a skilled hypnotherapist who is thoroughly aware of the patient’s pain history and makes sure not to probe away unpleasant memories. Self-hypnosis is also possible if you have deliberately learned how to do spontaneous trance induction yourself.

How to Prevent Upper Back Injuries

Most of the time, prevention is better than cure. This applies to preventing upper back injuries as well. Listed below are different techniques you should keep in mind in order to have a healthy and ache-free back.

1. Always be aware of your posture and follow proper body mechanics. Don’t slouch. Sit or stand straight.
2. When standing for an extended period, regularly bend on knee and hip. Then rest your foot on top of a small stool if possible.
3. When sitting down, make sure to position your knees higher than your hips.
4. When sleeping, use a firm mattress that will provide optimum body support to the body’s natural curvatures.
5. When exercising, follow exercises that strengthen the abdominal, lumbar, and pelvic muscles.
6. Avoid exercises like spinal twisting, sit-ups, and toe-touching since they can cause pain when the spinal cord is flexed.
7. Ask for help if you are lifting objects (especially if they weigh more than 25 pounds).
8. Wear comfortable clothing and low-heeled shoes so that you can move freely and be supported well while doing physical activities.

See also:

• Middle Back Pain
• Lower Back Pain

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