Music therapy, combined with standard medical treatment  has been found to reduce the perception of pain in individuals recovering from spinal surgeries, according to a study published in the American Journal of Orthopedics. Spine surgery recovery can take a long time and take a tremendous toll on the individual and family. Research has found that music therapy can help reduce pain post-surgery. The study has shown solid findings that this therapy, when combined with standard treatment, positively impacts pain. Individuals report an increase in comfort during the recovery time. Utilizing music in a therapeutic setting can benefit a patient's treatment plan, as it addresses the whole individual, including mind, body, and spirit. This is the same approach that chiropractic uses. Combining Standard Treatment with Music Therapy The study took place at the Spine Institute of New York with the music therapy set-up through the hospital’s Louis Armstrong Center for Music and

Calcium is vital to bone health, and as long as you are getting enough supplements are not necessary. Calcium is a primary building block for strong, healthy bones, especially the bones of the spine. A diet rich in Ca can help prevent spinal problems/issues/conditions like spinal fractures and osteoporosis. The best and easiest way to get the proper amount of calcium is by eating plenty of Ca-rich foods. However, calcium supplements could be utilized to ensure the proper amount is taken every day. To determine if you may need a calcium supplement talk with your doctor to make sure it’s the best option for you .   Calcium Supplements Calcium supplements can help individuals reach the daily recommended amount, but they are not intended to replace real Ca-rich foods. If there is enough Ca in your diet, a supplement won't be necessary, unless there is an underlying condition that doesn't allow the individual to eat certain Ca-rich foods. However, if there is only

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)   is a procedure that treats chronic neck conditions and is the most common spinal surgery performed in the U.S.  30 percent of Americans a year experience neck pain , c hronic neck pain and radiculopathy or pain that spreads out and radiates to other parts of the body, in this case down the arms. It’s a procedure that can work wonders, but as many as t wo-thirds of patients continue to manage neck pain and dysfunction after ACDF . One of the best ways of managing neck pain and dysfunction is to exercise. Research shows that a prescribed exercise program right after surgery can help lessen the pain and create less dependence on medications. A 2020 study published in SPINE suggests that patients that began therapeutic exercises right away had better results than individuals that started an exercise program after the six-week checkup/examination . What Anterior Cervical Discectomy Fusion Treats The procedure is performed on in

A February 2020 study explored the relationship between low back pain and menopause . Hormones and vitamin D play a role. Vitamin D deficiency is related to increased lower back pain and degenerative disc disease in postmenopausal women . Decreasing estrogen levels can also drop levels of vitamin D, which can be downright painful if left unaddressed. Menopause: Hot flashes Mood swings Sleep issues Libido changes A drop in  estrogen levels can cause these symptoms. Degenerative Disc Disease In between the vertebra are fibrous discs that are the shock absorbers for the spine. These discs also support and stabilize the spine, which allows you to move freely pain-free. The health of the spine is a vital part of well-being and provides the ability to bend, lift, twist , and perform normal activities without pain. With the passage of time , the discs start to dry out and lose their flexibility and elasticity . When the discs dry out, known as desiccation is a natural

A doctor could recommend alternative treatments, as part of a plan for neck pain like acupuncture, herbal compounds, and yoga . You may want to try them out yourself. Many have reported that these have really helped. Please consult a doctor before trying any alternative therapies. These are safe but should be set-up by a professional to make sure they are done safely. F or example, there could be negative interactions between herbs, supplements, and other medications being used.   Acupuncture This is an eastern approach to healing. Acupuncture focuses on the body's energy force known as Qi or Chi. When the energy is blocked from flowing this is when physical illnesses develop . Acupuncture restores the healthy energy flow. It isn't better or worse it is just different.   Herbal Medicine There are herbal compounds that have proven to be useful for neck pain .   Capsaicin Cream Capsaicin is a chili pepper extract and can help relieve neck pain

Companies are doing what they can to keep operations moving and workers employed. Those that are able to work-from-home are doing so. But working from home is new to many and creates new challenges of converting an area in the house, apartment, etc, to become the workspace. Back pain is common whether at the office or at the house. Everyday activities like the way you sit or lift can cause back pain if you’re not careful. At the house, it can be easy to lose track of time working. However, sitting with the wrong chair, at an improper height is not great for the body and overall health. Working from Home and Back Pain You probably thought you’d be comfortable working while lounging in bed or slouching on the sofa . However, after a few hours,  you would have a sore back, neck, or shoulders muscles. Working on a laptop for hours daily  at the kitchen counter or hunched over a coffee table and not sitting at a table or desk with a proper chair can lead to pain.  The best

With so much at stake, our bodies have developed a complex self-defense system to protect the spinal cord and its critical two-way  sensory information flow. As the body’s nerve center the spinal cord controls almost all voluntary and involuntary movements throughout the torso, arms, and legs.  It also receives sensory input from the torso and limbs. The   spinal cord plays a critical role and needs to be defended. The most prominent protection for the brain is the skull, for the spinal cord, it is more complicated.   Self Defense The spinal cord consists of a bunch of nerves . One of the self-defenses is the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that cushions and nourishes them. On the outside, the spinal cord is protected by the tube structure known as the meninges . Three-layered membranes make up the meninges, each with its own protective role: Pia mater Arachnoid mater Dura mater Self-defenses do not stop there. Another self-defense includes the vertebrae or the backbo

Dr. Alexander Jimenez takes a look at how to keep your back healthy while doing yard work and gardening . We’re looking for ways to find mental and physical engagement without socializing. Many individuals are breaking up isolation and monotony by doing some home projects out in the yard and garden. Doctors may tell patients that yard work and gardening should be avoided if they have a bad back. Individuals with a history of back pain/issues or have had spinal surgery might think that gardening is out of the question. None of this is true. Yard work and gardening can be therapeutic physically and mentally for individuals with compromised backs as long as they follow some common-sense safety concepts. Gardening with an ergonomic approach can make yard work and gardening very back/spine-friendly. If possible try to get tools for gardeners with neck and back problems or modify your own. Modified tools can highly reduce the chances of injuring your back. Try to set up the

Keeping hormones in balance can be a tough challenge. There are many individuals with hormonal imbalances and they don't even know it. Despite tests for abnormal thyroid function , they don't always acknowledge a thyroid that isn’t functioning properly. The same can be said for the adrenals. When they are overtaxed, the imbalance that follows can be quite challenging. There are top-quality natural remedies for hormonal imbalance.   How to tell Under-producing g lands will have some symptoms that are different from glands that are over-producing . But there are some symptoms that are shared across the board. If you notice that you experience several of these symptoms, it could point to a hormonal imbalance: Aches and pain in the muscles Anxiety Confusion and lack of mental clarity Depression Fatigue Memory loss Migraines Muscle weakness Sexual dysfunction Swelling Weight loss or gain without doing anything new/different A chiropractor, naturopath, o

Can irritable bowel syndrome cause back pain? Is there some relation, what are the treatment options, and can those therapies help with the aches, soreness, and overall discomfort? Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is not life-threatening but is definitely life-changing with the gas, bloating, abdominal pain and changes in bathroom habits. Many with IBS develop symptoms outside of the stomach. The most common is back pain . Here’s what to know.   Irritable Bowel Syndrome Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disorder that affects the lower part of the digestive tract . The common symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation . There could be some combination of the two. Individuals also experience cramping, gas and bloating. Symptoms can be mild or severe and come and go. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all. Around 10-20% of adults have IBS, and women are twice as likely to develop the syndrome. It's usually diagnosed in people under 50, and if a family has

While we have this time at home, working, teaching, we might be realizing that the chairs we are using are great for kicking back or sitting only for a short while. It could be time for a proper office chair with back support for those with back pain, as well as to help prevent poor posture conditions that can generate back pain. Here are a few of the top picks for back pain. Experts offer guidance on how to purchase an ergonomic office chair. Author of the book Wellness by Design  is a consumer guide to optimizing your home for physical and mental health. Hopefully, this will aid you as you navigate chairs for back pain.   Posture Importance One way proper posture is gained is by walking with a book on your head. That won't be necessary, as good office chairs that offer back support lend themselves to healthy posture, which helps back pain. Studies confirm that improved ergonomics greatly decreases back pain. Proper posture keeps your body positioned to minimize s