Back Pain Cure: No More Pain!

February 1st, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Health Research

Back pain is something we all deal with from time to time. If you have recurring back pain and it gets worse over time, you can’t just ignore it. Chronic back pain can affect all aspects of your life. It can hamper your ability to perform even the most simple of activities.

A strained or pulled muscle is most often what causes back pain and this pain is usually mild and will go away after a few days. You might try releasing tension in the muscle by doing stretching exercises, getting a massage, or taking pain medication. Straining the back muscles is a different kind of injury altogether; bed rest isn’t going to help. You should avoid doing those activities that caused the muscle back strain or may aggravate it; instead continue doing light activities as this will help in easing the pain and speeding up the healing process.

Poor posture can cause you to have chronic mild back pain. When your spine is aligned properly, there is little or no pressure and therefore no pain. If your spine is out of alignment, you can feel pain when standing, sitting and lying down because of the pressure put on your spine. Things that can improve this type of pain include getting better shoes, a better mattress and trying different kinds of chairs. Also, being aware of your posture at all times can help.

Pain that is more severe can indicate a more serious medical condition including herniated discs, arthritis, spinal stenosis and fibromyalgia. You’ll need to get checked out by a doctor to get a proper diagnosis and make sure nothing else like cancer or infection is going on.

There are many different treatments for back pain since not all back pain has the same cause. You have to know what the problem is before you can figure out how to treat it. Treatments can range from physical therapy exercises to back surgery in more extreme cases. Sometimes, prescription medicines including muscle relaxers and pain medicines can help relieve back pain.

If you don’t want to start taking potentially addictive prescriptions and do not to want to resort to surgery, you may want to look into alternative treatment methods to treat your back pain. Some people swear by their chiropractor or massage therapist to treat their back pain. Others are able to find relief through breathing and visualization. Even if you get relief from these treatments, you should rule out a serious medical condition by getting a checkup.

No one should have to deal with back pain every day of their life when there are so many treatment options available. You just need to find the right one for you.

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Free Yoga Video: Chest Stretching Exercises

August 10th, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in Free Yoga Videos

Learn how to stretch the chest in this free fitness video series on simple stretching exercises.

Chest stretching

  • extend arms straight up, palms forward
  • legs at least shoulder width apart
  • yank arms back, bending back from waist
  • repeat several times

Overall Rating (1-5): 4

Entertainment Rating: 4

Interesting demonstration of chest stretches

Instructional Rating: 4

Interesting demonstration with good explanation and safety tips

More information: http://www.youtube.com/user/expertvillage

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Hot Yoga Teacher Training: Absolute Yoga

August 9th, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in Free Yoga Videos

Information about the Absolute Hot Yoga series, which comprises 50 postures - very challenging and athletic, and involves 45 minutes standing, 45 minutes sitting. Head instructor, John Anderson, also talks about the 200-Hour Yoga Alliance Training Course, and what it takes to be a world-class yoga teacher.

Overall Rating (1-5): 5

Entertainment Rating: 4

Interesting interview with a top yoga instructor

Instructional Rating: 5

Lots of background information about the absolute hot yoga series and its aims.

More information: http://www.TeachHotYoga.com

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Free Yoga Video on Stretching Exercises

August 7th, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in Free Yoga Videos

This video is the first in a series of Korean badminton lessons. The first lesson is on stretching. The warm-up stretches are demonstrated by the players.

Overall Rating (1-5): 3

Entertainment Rating: 2

To-the-point stretching demonstration.

Instructional Rating: 3

Contains god demonstrations of warm-up stretching exercises, but the commentary is not in English.

More information: (no website listed)

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Bikram Yoga Competition for Champion Yogis

August 5th, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in Free Yoga Videos

Reporter Jeri Reeder and Cameraman Gino Salerno interview the founder of Bikram Yoga at the fifth annual international yoga asana competition in Los Angeles. Bikram Choudhury and his wife share their thoughts on how yoga is both physical and emotional fitness and should be competitive.

Overall Rating (1-5): 4

Entertainment Rating: 4

Interesting news article about Bikram yoga as a competitive sport

Instructional Rating: 3

Interesting interview but there is more information to be had on this subject.

More information: http://www.youtube.com/user/SoCalShooter

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Bikram’s Yoga Metrotown: Hot Yoga Talk

August 5th, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in Free Yoga Videos

Brief clip advertising Bikram’s Yoga Metrotown. Bikram is the best yoga for beginners. You will lose weight and flush toxins, and feel relaxed yet energized. But you will also learn how to breathe in a state of focussed effort followed by complete stillness.

Benefits of Bikram yoga

  • lose weight
  • lose pain
  • feel good
  • perform well

Overall Rating (1-5): 2

Entertainment Rating: 2

Brief clip advertising Bikram Yoga Metrotown

Instructional Rating: 1

Some info about the benefits of Bikram yoga, but too brief to take away much knowledge.

More information: http://www.youtube.com/user/alxivanov

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Free Yoga Video: Right Leg Reach Over Stretch Exercise

August 4th, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in Free Yoga Videos

Stretching prevents injuries. Learn Right Leg Reach Over Stretch Exercise in this free stretch workout and fitness video.

Right leg reach over stretch

  • Sitting with legs as far apart as possible
  • Stretch over leg trying to touch toes
  • Keep left arm stretched above head
  • Pull abs in through centre and switch sides

Overall Rating (1-5): 3

Entertainment Rating: 3

Interesting demonstration of complicated stretching exercise

Instructional Rating: 4

Interesting demonstration, good commentary - a more sophisticated stretching exercise.

More information: http://www.youtube.com/user/expertvillage

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Free Yoga Video: Lower Back Stretching Exercises

August 3rd, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in Free Yoga Videos

Learn how to stretch lower back in this free fitness video series on simple stretching exercises. This is an area where a lot of people carry tension, and where many of us experience a lot of pain.

A lower back stretch

  • keep legs far apart
  • drop forward as if trying to touch floor with top of your head
  • either hold the stretch or do some light bouncing
  • keep legs completely stretch

Overall Rating (1-5): 3

Entertainment Rating: 3

Interesting demonstration of lower back stretching exercises

Instructional Rating: 4

Useful demonstration with safety advice about the lower back.

More information: http://www.youtube.com/user/expertvillage

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Free Yoga Video: Hamstring Stretching Exercises

July 31st, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in Free Yoga Videos

Learn how to do standing hamstring stretching exercises for the knees in this free online video demonstration of physical therapy exercises for the knees.

Hamstring stretch

  • standing, feet wide apart
  • slowly reach down with fingertips
  • keep legs straight
  • try to touch the ground

Overall Rating (1-5): 1

Entertainment Rating: 1

Basic demonstration of basic hamstring stretch

Instructional Rating: 1

Demonstration is short and does not contain much knowledge to take away

More information: http://www.youtube.com/user/expertvillage

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Free Yoga Video: Stretching for Fat Burning Exercises

July 31st, 2008 | No Comments | Posted in Free Yoga Videos

Learn how to do stretching exercises to warm up for your work out with expert tips in this free fitness video clip.

Hamstring stretch

  • put one leg in front of the other
  • bend over and stretch hamstring
  • do not bounce - this contracts muscle and makes it tight
  • breathe deeply and relax

Overall Rating (1-5): 4

Entertainment Rating: 4

Interesting demonstration of stretches to be used as part of a workout

Instructional Rating: 4

Interesting demonstrations of stretches and explanation of how they work, with safety tips

More information: http://www.youtube.com/user/expertvillage

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