What Causes Golfer's Elbow?

Golfer's elbow afflicts the inside area of the elbow of golfers, typically the left inside elbow of right handed ones. It is caused by a tendency to have too much strain on the muscles and tendons that are constantly pulling in the area and they get inflamed and get tight.

9 times out of 10 when people set up for their swing, they carry through the impact zone and have a tendency to "chicken wing" their arm (pulling the arm in) rather than follow through up to a nice finish. This action fights the centrifugal force that is generated along the downswing and rather than shifting stresses into the ball, it places them into the inside area of the left elbow.

It doesn't take much of a "pull" to create significant stress on those tendons and ligaments when you have all the momentum and weight of the club going away from your body.

One problem that golfers can experience with their left arm (if they are right handed golfers) is that during follow through golfers may hyperextend and lock their elbow. You want it to be straight at impact, but not hyperextended.

What causes this "chicken wing" pull action and hyperextension problem?

The number one reason is improper alignment. Most golfers have improper alignment, and then need to alter their swing to hit the target. If you are not lined up correctly, your arms will not be able to "clear your body" to achieve a solid square impact. To get close to a square impact, the club will need to be pulled back towards the ball, stressing the inside tendons of the elbow.

The number two problem is when golfers hit down too much on the ball rather than hitting "through" the ball. During the golf swing you should feel as if you are swinging up rather than hitting down on the ball. This will relieve so much stress being placed onto the tendons around the elbow and avoid the tendonitis.

The continual stress and strain from hitting the turf hard will lead to the annoying golfers elbow. The best way to keep it from coming back is to learn how to properly align your body at stance and also work towards a swing that hits through the ball and up rather than down.

If you develop golfer's elbow the best initial treatment is anti-inflammatory medication along with icing and bracing the forearm. This is called "counterforce" bracing. Physical therapy can help substantially along with a steroid injection into the inflamed area.

Facet Injections As a Choice for Back Pain

Facet injections are minimally invasive procedures that temporarily relieve pain resulting from an inflammation in a facet joint. Pain associated with a facet joint is not fully understood, but it is believed that it is possible that it stems from one of several causes, injury, arthritis, or degeneration, and it can produce symptoms similar to disc degeneration. A facet injection's benefits only last temporarily; from a mere day up to a year as it is a minimal procedure. Facet injections are usually used in conjunction with physical therapy and/or other forms of treatment such as chiropractic spinal manipulation.

Dual purpose

Facet injections work by introducing a long term corticosteroid, along with an anesthetic agent developed to numb the area, into the facet joint that is painful, either entering the capsule or alongside the surrounding tissue of the joint. The facet injection also has a purpose beyond the temporary pain relief; it can also be used as a diagnostic procedure. The facet injection blocks pain signals sent to the brain by numbing the nerves in that area, patients that benefit from these injections may be candidates for facet rhizotomy, which is a procedure in which the nerve endings in the affected area are deadened by use of an electric current that destroys the nerves and prevents them from signaling the brain for pain.

Candidates for facet injections are patients suffering from (any or all of these symptoms) neck, lower back, arm combined with leg pain, caused by inflammatory response in the joints. Facet injections are often recommended for patients that did not show improvement to other remedies such as rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy or back braces.

Facet injections can be used to treat spinal stenosis, spondylolysis, sciatica, herniated disc, arthritis, or post-operative pain. People with active infections, are pregnant, have bleeding problems should not receive these injection. Also, persons with high blood pressure or diabetes should use caution as facet injections may raise levels of blood sugar (this effect last for about 24 hours), and can raise blood pressure levels.

Speedy pain relief

Facet joint injections are administered as an outpatient treatment by surgeons, physiatrists, radiologists, anesthesiologists, and neurologists using a fluoroscope. A fluoroscope is like an x-ray machine that allows the doctor to see the needle to help assure proper placement and a proper path. The patient usually feels a sensation similar to pressure but doesn't really feel pain as the area injected is usually numbed with a local anesthetic prior to the injection. Often the patient will be given drugs to lessen anxiety to help them relax during the injection. Most patients can walk immediately following the injection, but they will need someone to drive them home. The patient should notice pain relief within a week following the injection. If a lessening of pain is not noticed after ten days a second injection may be given, but if after three injections the patient feels no relief they are unlikely to benefit from further treatment. Typically half of patients given facet injections will gain relief from the treatment, and the procedure may be given three times per year.

Lower risks

Risks involved are considered minimal, but there are some; these include internal bleeding, infection at the site, allergic reaction, pounding in the temple, and damage to the nerve. There are also side effects which include fluid retention, hot flashes, mood swings or interrupted sleep patterns, and a rise in blood sugar levels. Diabetics have to be monitored carefully due to this. Also, patients who take anti-clotting or blood thinning medications should discuss the treatments with their family physician before beginning treatment.

Facet injections are a good choice in treatment to try before deciding on an invasive surgery when it comes to combating moderate to severe back pain, as it may just do the trick- with a lowered chance of complications and health risks.

Caisson Disease Also Known As Acute Decompression Sickness Or Compressed Air Illness

Caisson disease is a disorder which occurs in divers who have been brought to the surface rapidly without conforming to the safety precautions. Some workmen are particularly susceptible. Nitrogen being more lipid soluble, more bubbles are formed in the nervous tissue and hence neurological symptoms predominate. The spinal cord is most commonly affected, the brainstem and cerebral hemispheres are affected to a lesser extent. Autopsy shows hemorrhages in the white matter and micro infarcts. Other tissues involved include the joints, skin and lungs.

Clinical features: Symptoms start within three hours of surfacing, but rarely they may be delayed by several hours. Mild cases show pains and cutaneous lesions. In the severe types neurological and pulmonary lesions are prominent. An apparently mild case may rapidly become severe and hence the initial presentation may be misleading. Early cutaneous manifestations include pruritis, erythematous skin lesions and cyanotic patches, and these should alert the physician of the impending disease. The commonest presenting symptom is joint pain (bends) felt over the knees, shoulder, hips and elbows.

More serious features are retrosternal pain (chokes) and neurologic manifestations. Tachypnoea, hypotension and shock may follow the onset of chest pain and the patient may die in coma. The neurologic symptoms include parasthesiae, girdle pains, varying degrees of motor and sensory deficits, headache blurring of vision, diplopia, papillary abnormalities, dysarthria, and vestibular dysfunction characterized by vertigo, nystagmus, nausea and vomiting (staggers).

Diagnosis: The condition is likely to be missed by the unwary physician. History, the circumstance of the case and the physical manifestations should suggest the possibility of decompression sickness. Delay in onset of symptoms should not go against the diagnosis if other features are suggestive.

Course and prognosis: The course is unpredictable sine mild cases may rapidly become serious and die. Prognosis depends upon the promptness and adequacy of recompression and graded decompression. This measure should be instituted without delay even in hopeless cases. Many a time, the recovery is remarkable. Neurological deficits tend to persist if treatment is delayed. Early recompression can prevent the development of neurological lesions. In fairly suggestive cases, valuable time should not be wasted by undertaking detailed clinical examination before recompression.

Treatment: Specific treatment is to institute immediate recompression in a pressure chamber as an emergency measure. Respiratory depressants like morphine should be avoided. The pressure equivalent and the duration of recompression have to be decided by personnel trained in recompression techniques. Usually, a pressure of 2.8 atmospheres (283.7 KPa) is beneficial. Hyperbaric oxygen helps in improving oxygenation of ischemic tissues.

In patients with neurological deficits, shock, or cerebral edema, corticosteroids are beneficial. Low molecular weight dextran (dextran 40) helps in reducing vascular sludging. Infusion of appropriate fluids helps in restoring blood volume, improve the circulatory state, and mobilize trapped bubbles. After suitable recompression, the patient should be carefully decompressed, allowing sufficient periods at each stages to prevent recurrence of bubble formation. Susceptible persons should refrain from diving till recovery is complete.

Spinal Health - Herniated Or Ruptured Disk

Discs are positioned between each vertebra bone in your spine. A disc is made up of two parts: the outer ring is called the annulus; the inner part is called the nucleus. The annulus is hard and fibrous, while the inner nucleus is made up of soft gelatinous material. These discs allow for easy mobility of the backbone as we move and bend, and act as cushions between the vertebral column.

The effects of frequent excessive pressure on your back can cause the discs in your spinal column to rupture or be herniated. Ordinary aging will decrease the height and the softness of the disc, so they will become less effective as shock absorbers. A ruptured or herniated disc happens when pressure causes the nucleus to push against the annulus to the degree that the annulus rips. The majority of herniated discs will rupture toward the spine, causing pain, pressure and irritation on the nerves.

If the rupture is bad enough to cause irritation, you will often times have pain shooting down the leg, following the course of the nerve. You may also experience numbness, weakness or tingling in the leg. More severe cases can involve pain in both legs and loss of bladder or bowel control. If those symptoms occur, a doctor should treat the problem immediately.

Most of the time, a ruptured or herniated disc can get better without surgery. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs (also known as NSAIDS) such as Advil or Aleve can relieve the pressure and alleviate the pain after a few days. If, after a few days, the NSAID is not mitigating the pain, the next step may be prescription medicine such as higher strength NSAIDS, pain medication, steroids or muscle relaxers.

If the stronger medication is also not effective, you'll need further testing in the form of a MRI or CT scan. The results of these tests can establish if you will need an epidural injection of Cortisone. The injection is into your back, around the root of the nerve being pinched.

If none of these treatments help, a microdiscectomy may be needed. A microdiscectomy is a surgical procedure that is done trough a small incision. Using magnification and special instruments, the surgeon can remove the portion of the disc that is ruptured and causing discomfort. A microdiscectomy is less invasive than a traditional lumbar laminectomy, usually being performed with epidural anesthesia so the patient can stay awake during the procedure. The likelihood of vomiting or nausea after a microdiscectomy is decreased, and patients can usually go home a few hours after surgery.

After your symptoms subside, start an exercise or walking program to rehabilitate and strengthen your back to significantly reduce the chances of a slipped disc or pinched nerve from happening again. If you are overweight, losing the extra pounds can remove the excess pressure on your back. Practice safe lifting techniques with proper back mechanics when moving heavy objects.

Spinal Decompression, Chiropractic Treatments Can Restore Your Back and Neck to Better Health

Spinal Decompression is a successful chiropractic treatment that is being used for patients with lower back pain, neck pain, disc problems, and sciatica

Spinal Decompression, what is it, and how does chiropractic treatment help?

Spinal Decompression is procedure for lower back and neck pain that Chiropractors are treating more and more people for every day. Lifestyle and the need to seek eternal youth has made many people increase their recreational activities (running, martial arts, tennis, golf, bodybuilding, etc.) all with the goal to improve health because more of us spend more time sitting in a chair in front of a computer slowly damaging our posture as we develop disc problems from any of the above activities. Spinal decompression therapy is used primarily to treat disc injuries in the neck and in the lower back.

Spinal Decompression is very effective at treating bulging discs, herniated discs, pinched nerves, sciatica, radiating arm pain, headaches, and facet syndrome. Most chiropractic offices have computerized mechanized machines that assist the chiropractor in treating this condition. Once you lie down on the decompression table, the machine does all the work. You shouldn't feel any pain and your back will have a sense of feeling like it has a new lease on life after having these treatments.

Whether treating your lower back or neck, you lie comfortably on your back and either have soft padded straps around your back and waist, or soft rubber pads positioned behind your neck.

As the Spinal Decompression table pulls on your spine, it gently divides the vertebrae from each other, producing a vacuum inside the discs that are being targeted. This vacuum begins to suck the bulges or herniations back into the inside of the disc, and off of your nerve base. This occurs on a microscopic basis each time, but cumulatively the effects can be quite amazing. Along with this process, it creates an action which pumps nutrient-rich fluids from the outside of the discs to the inside. This reaction helps the healing process of the damaged and degenerated disc.

How long will the treatment program take?

Every patient I see will have a chiropractic treatment plan developed specifically for their condition. On average, I tell most of my patients that the total time of treatment can be a 2-4 month process and will require multiple visits each week and then slowly decrease to once a week as their spinal issues start to heal. Each session can be as little as 30 minutes or can be as long as an hour. It all depends on whether I'm treating just the lower back, or if I'm treating the back and neck along with any other prescribed therapy.

Will Spinal Decompression treatment work for all spinal problems?

Spinal decompression is not a cure all for all back and neck problems. It is very effective for a great majority of the patients I see. I've listed some of the health issues you should expect to see great improvements for:

Sciatica, neck pain, Headaches, Chronic neck pain, Chronic low back pain

Standard Techniques of Chiropractic Adjustment

There is much more damage done by a misaligned spine than just the physical aspects. Chiropractic adjustment is often necessary because of organ dysfunction and mental health problems that have their origins in poor spinal health. While a medical doctor can treat the symptoms produced from a spinal misalignment, chiropractic adjustment has proven to be the best way to address the real problem.

Extremity Chiropractic Adjustment

Chiropractic doctors use manipulation and adjustment of the extremities to mobilize joints and muscles that are often causing musculoskeletal imbalance. Readjusting the functionality of the extremities addresses the problems caused to the nervous system and relieves chronic pain associated with it.

Pelvic Deficiency

One of the causes of extreme pain and misalignment of the spine comes from the way a person stands and holds their hips. Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique analyzes the length of a person's legs to ascertain if a pelvic deficiency is the cause of physical pain. If one leg is shorter than the other, one side of the body will have excessive pressure and cause much discomfort.

This chiropractic adjustment is used to correct pelvic and vertebral misalignments through the use of the Activator mallet, which pushes and sets joints into the correct position for proper use.

The Thompson Technique is another chiropractic adjustment based on analyzing the leg length to determine if it is the cause of imbalance. After the legs are checked, the chiropractor understands where the misalignment exists, which can be in the pelvic or cervical areas among others. Chiropractic adjustment is accomplished with the use of multiple thrusts applied to certain joints.

Addressing Pinched Nerves

One of the more painful problems of spine misalignment is a pinched nerve. In 1923, Dr. Clarence S. Gonstead developed a method that addresses this situation as well as problems caused by other maladies. The Gonstead chiropractic adjustment increases joint and muscle mobility based on the areas of misalignment by way of pressure at different levels.

Many of the chiropractic adjustments are performed so patients do not have to undergo corrective surgery. While there is no 100% success rate with chiropractic solutions, they often are a wonderful alternative to operations. Techniques such as the Cox Flexion/Distraction often restore a range of motion so that surgery may be delayed or deemed unnecessary.

Anyone who has chronic pain from spinal conditions should ask for a chiropractic opinion before submitting to any back operation. It costs less money than surgery and it is often less painful and more fulfilling.

Surgery For Sciatica - Will it End Your Sciatic Nerve Pain?

Is Surgery for Sciatica the Answer to Your Sciatic Nerve Pain Relief?

It is a question that anyone with sciatic nerve pain has asked themselves at some point. Is surgery the only way I can finally get rid of this horrible sciatica back pain?

When it comes to sciatica and lower back pain, there really is no easy answer. The ultimate choice is, of course, yours alone. But there are some areas of sciatic nerve pain relief that you should be looking at before you do anything drastic. The last thing you want to do is make your sciatica back pain worse.

How can you Know if you are Ready for Surgery?

People don't come to the surgery conclusion lightly. It is usually after months of desperately searching for relief from that awful sciatic nerve and low back pain. Usually, people considering surgery are frustrated, tired, and would do almost anything for relief. They are starting to feel like they will never have that sciatic nerve pain relief without surgery.

Still though, surgery is a risky business in itself, it is after all, surgery. Before you decide to go ahead with it, you need to be sure that it will give you real nerve pain relief.

Do not be sure that surgery is your answer because your doctor has promised you that it will work. Be sure that you need surgery because you know that you have done everything else to find sciatica pain relief on your own.

What Should You be Asking Yourself?

1 - Why do You Have Sciatica? - you can actually have sciatica for many reasons. But usually, you have sciatic nerve pain for one of two reasons. Pinched Sciatica and Sciatica Piriformis Syndrome.

When dealing with a pinched sciatic nerve, usually there is a bad disc involved. While there are treatments that will give you sciatic nerve pain relief, (such as spinal decompression and seated massage), usually a bad disc is the most common reason people have surgery for sciatica. That is not saying that it is 'your time', or that you even need it. But it is more common for people in your situation.

If your sciatic nerve pain and low back pain is because of piriformis syndrome, there are many other treatment options available to you. You can usually skip the surgery route and take care of your sciatica back pain in other ways.

2 - Have You Tried All the Non Invasive Procedures Available to You? - surgery for sciatica is considered 'minimally invasive'. To most people, 'minimally invasive' means that is is no big deal. But the reality of this 'minimally invasive' procedure is that your pain is likely to return at some point. And once you have had surgery for sciatica, your odds of needing another surgery down the road are pretty great.

Be sure that you have tried all of the supplements, food changes, chiropractic and massage therapies, everything ut there that is non invasive before you consider anything else. If you try something non invasive and it does not work, no big deal. You look for something else and move on.

But what if you try something 'minimally invasive' and it does not work?

That stays with your body much longer and you will have to wait before you try another treatment. Even spinal injections, which are also considered minimally invasive, have chemicals in them that can take weeks to leave your body. In other words, if the injections don't work, not only can you be in pain for weeks, but you will also have to wait until the chemicals are totally out of your system before you can really know if another treatment will work for you.

3 - Do you Really Know What Surgery is Like? - if you have thought about these questions, and you think that you really need surgery for sciatica in order to get any real sciatica nerve pain relief, then you should know what to expect.

There are many types of sciatica surgeries out there. They range from minimally invasive to very invasive. When it comes to this type of back surgery, there can be a lot of ground to cover.

So we will stick with the minimally invasive stuff that involves sciatica due to disc problems, after all, this is the most common reason for surgery.

What to expect after surgery:

* You will be given pain killers to control your post surgery pain. However, your actual sciatic nerve pain relief will probably be felt as soon as you wake.

* The first week you will be tired, but this will most likely be due to your post surgery medication.

* This is usually considered an in and out procedure. But the actual recover time can be 3-4 weeks.

* It is a good idea to take digestive enzymes after surgery. They will help with healing and inflammation.

* You will most likely be encouraged to start doing some light activity after the first couple of days.

Surgery for sciatica is not an easy choice. It is very hard to live with sciatica pain. Finding sciatic nerve pain relief can seem just as hard.