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Archives for 2009

10 Facts About Whiplash

  In a series of recent human volunteer crash tests of low speed rear impact collisions, it was reported that the threshold for cervical spine soft tissue injury was 5 mph (delta V) (1 ref). Other reports have shown that crashed cars can often withstand collision speeds of 10 mph or more without sustaining damage [..]

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) – Exercise Options

Because carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a "cumulative trauma" condition where repetitive motion results in overuse and subsequent injury to multiple areas in the upper extremities, there are many exercise options for patients with CTS. Most exercises address the forearm, wrist, and hand as well as the neck, shoulder, and elbow, depending on the extent [..]

Does Diet Make a Difference with Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex condition that includes widespread muscle and joint pain, where everything seems to ache and is associated with severe exhaustion and fatigue. It affects up to 4% of the population (woman > men), with no known cause and no known cure. With these facts, it’s not surprising that many sufferers have [..]

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, Side Effects, and Two Alternatives

In 1935, Swedish physiologist Ulf von Euler isolated a biologically active compound from seminal fluid. He named the compound “prostaglandin” because he believed it was derived from the prostate gland. It is now known that prostaglandins are made in tissues throughout the body. [As an interesting side-note, von Euler (and colleagues) was awarded the Nobel Prize in [..]

Fibromyalgia (FM) and Central Nervous System Problems

Do you hurt all over, frequently feel exhausted, can’t seem to ever feel "rested" after a night’s sleep, don’t respond to any of the recommended medications from your family physician, and no test seems to uncover anything specific? If this sounds like you, it is possible that you are suffering from fibromyalgia (FM). FM is a chronic/long-term condition [..]

What Do Consumers Say Works Best?

We know that many people, about 80% of the population, will hurt their back at some point in life. In a survey conducted by Consumer Reports (CR) (see the May 2009 issue), over 14,000 subscribers had low back pain (LBP) but no surgery to treat it in 2008. More than half reported severe daily activity [..]

Prompt Treatment is Best!

Many people suffer from CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) and unfortunately, often ignore the initial symptoms of numbness or tingling in the hand(s). These early symptoms are typically not too alarming and hence, they often do not raise the level of concern until more intense symptoms occur, such as waking up from sleep due to numbness; [..]

Neck Pain, Headache, and the Jaw Joint

Neck pain and headaches can be very disabling and can significantly alter a person’s normal pattern of living. Simple things like reading the newspaper, cooking, driving a car, and/or looking down when feeding a baby can become almost intolerable. Canceling plans for the day or saying "no" to vacations can be very disheartening and often [..]

After My Car Accident, Why Do I Hurt So Much?

There are many different reasons why injuries sustained in car crashes result in chronic or long-term pain. First, there are several types of tissues in the neck that can give rise to pain. The most intense pain comes from the tissues with the greatest density of nerve fibers, such as the joint capsules and the ligaments [..]

Neck and Arm Pain – The Herniated Disk?

Patients who present with neck pain along with arm numbness, pain, and/or weakness often ask, "…what’s causing this pain down my arm?" The condition can result from a bulging or herniated disk pinching a nerve in the neck. The cause of this complaint can be either a traumatic or non-traumatic event. In fact, sometimes, the [..]