May 15, 2009

Hello,

This month's theme is back pain, with articles about using visceral manipulation and essential oils for back pain relief. I also highly recommend the Feldenkrais Method and Hanna Somatics, which helped me get rid of years of chronic low back pain.

Enjoy!

Carol

Treat Your Back Pain From the Inside Out!

by Nancy Redlich

All too often we know what it is like to "throw our backs out" or find ourselves with a "flair-up" of that old injury. Many of us have had to cough, sneeze, or bend down to pick up the newspaper and "wham" it hits us "out of the blue."

Physical Therapists know this type of back pain. We see these patients daily in our practices. However, are they just "accidents?" More like "accidents-waiting to happen," according to Dr. Jean-Pierre Barral, a French Osteopath and Physical Therapist. Dr. Barral's work has led him to study injury and pain from a much deeper level.

It is his belief that most musculoskeletal injuries are truly the result of often long-held adhesions and restrictions in the organs and their connective tissues, which create tension and stress and pull the body out of "synch." Over years of study, treatment, and observation, he developed Visceral Manipulation Therapy.

This is based upon the following: Our organs have inherent movement patterns, that is, they are not frozen in space. Not only do our organs need to be able to glide, slide, rotate, or compress when we physically move our bodies, but they also need to move on their own when we are still--or we would be dead. When one of our organs become either displaced or compressed by its neighbors, by adhesions or scar tissue, or by abnormal tone, the organ does not function properly and can create chronic irritation, dysfunction, and pain.

Our organs are not just 'floating' in our bodies. We are interconnected with ligaments and fascia that not only hold our bones and muscles to each other but also to our organ systems. Our organs are not frozen in space and they need room to move.

They also need stability so they don’t just slide all over the place. There are multiple ligaments that attach from organ to organ and organ to bone. One example of this is at the right triangular ligament, which attaches from the right 8th rib to the liver. When there is a disruption, trauma, instability or disease, the liver may become stuck and immobile. Its inherent movement pattern stops, thus pulling on the ligament, the 8th rib, and all of its surrounding attachments. Over time this can lead to changes in the bony alignment, mobility, and overall structure and function. Changes in right shoulder motion, pain, or even back pain may occur as a result.

Visceral Manipulation allows these restrictions to become free, returning normal mobility patterns to the involved organ systems thus enhancing fluid and chemical shifts needed for healing, improving mobility to a joint(s), and reducing pain.

To learn more about Visceral Manipulation go to www.upledger.com.

About the Author

Nancy Redlich, MSPT is a Manual Physical Therapist who uses an integrative approach to her therapy that encompasses visceral manipulation, cranial-sacral therapy, myofascial release, functional mobilization, neuromuscular facilitation, pilates & yoga exercise principles, and wellness nutrition.

Oh My Aching Back - Essential Oils Can Help

by Linda Lee Smith

Backaches seem to be a common complaint in humans, but essential oils can definitely be a "rescue team." Part of the problem is the fact that we walk upright on two legs and not four. If you look at the construction of the spine, a number of weak areas become quite apparent. We have several curves which can go out of alignment, producing a weak back and pain.

Nerves can be pinched or irritated, mobility can be hampered, ligaments, tendons and muscles can be stretched or strained, or parts can degenerate with ensuing inflammation and pain. According to some estimates, approximately 80 percent of Americans will experience low back pain at least once in their lifetime. A small number will develop chronic or degenerative spinal disorders that can be disabling.

How Does Western Medicine Treat Acute and Chronic Backaches?

You already know the drill: rest, application of heat or cold depending on whether there is inflammation, pain killers, muscle relaxers, and more rest before physical therapy, stretching exercises, and losing weight. When all else fails sometimes surgery is the only answer.

Is There a Natural Way to Get Back on Your Feet Faster or Prevent a Little Backache from Turning into A Chronic Backache?

Essential oils are nature's medicines. Many oils can serve to detoxify, relax, and decrease swelling in muscle tissue. A muscle responds to pain with a reflex contraction. This causes blood flow to the area to be impeded. Less oxygen and glucose and the decrease in circulation means that removal of toxins and waste products is slowed down. Inflammation, muscular soreness, and pain are the results.

Essential oils can aid chronic pain sufferers by increasing levels of endorphins and enkephalins through stimulating the pituitary and thalamus in the brain. Some essential oils are known to be "euphoric" or "aphrodisiac" and can produce a feeling of well-being. Try clary sage, jasmine, patchouli, and ylang ylang, which stimulate the pituitary gland to secrete the neurochemical endorphins. Or use clary sage, jasmine, grapefruit, or rose, which stimulate the thalamus to produce enkephalins. These are the "feel good hormones" that our body naturally produces.

Topically you could apply oils like basil, marjoram, and lavender specifically for muscles. Others might be nutmeg, black pepper, spruce, Roman Chamomile, wintergreen, rosemary, or peppermint. Balsam fir, elemi, and Palo Santo are highly anti-inflammatory oils.

For sciatica you could try oils like helichrysum, peppermint, nutmeg, thyme, spruce, wintergreen, basil, rosemary, clove, or tarragon. I would dilute these oils 50-50 and apply 6-10 drops on location as needed for relief of pain and inflammation. You may find that these oils will get you back on your feet quicker and with less drugs in your system. Healing a natural way is far better than putting chemicals in your body that can have side effects.

About the Author

Linda L. Smith is Director of the Institute of Spiritual Healing & Aromatherapy, which teaches classes throughout the United States on both aromatherapy and energy (spiritual) healing.

More

If you want more information about essential oils and aromatherapy, you can download my aromatherapy ebook and sign-up for my essential oils mailing list. And I recommend essential oils from Young Living Essential Oils.