Understanding neck pain, back pain, and sciatica is a crucial as our treatment is often dependent on the ability to describe both the location of the pain and what kind of pain…and its intensity. In order to fully comprehend, treat, and recover from neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica, we need to seek medical treatment early enough after the first expression of neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica and we need to take an active and involved role in the treatment strategy before, during, and after formal medical intervention and treatment.

The Types of Spine Pain (also referred to the general types of back pain)

Back pain is known by a variety of technical terms depending on the location and severity. Neck pain is also known in medical terms as cervicalgia. Neck pain or cervicalgia may vary from dull and aching to chronic and acute and is often associated with pain in the shoulder and tingling and numbness in the arms and hands. Upper back pain, also known as thoracic pain, is also referred to as middle back pain depending on the location. Thoracic pain, like to neck pain, may range from dull to acute and chronic. Lower back pain, also known as lumbago, affects the lower back, as the name indicates, and ranges from dull, localized pain to acute, chronic, and widespread. Lower back pain or lumbago may also be associated with the final classification of back pain, known as sciatic nerve pain or simply sciatica. Sciatica, also known as sciatic neuritis, is often classified as a lumbar radiculopathy (the distinction is beyond the scope of this article). Sciatica, as with the other expressions of spine pain mentioned above, may range from a dull and aching pain, to acute and chronic, many times associated with pain across the buttocks and into the legs. Sciatica may also present with weakness, tingling, and numbness in the legs, feet, and toes.

Describing and Quantifying Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica

One of the most difficult tasks when it comes to back pain, in any of its expressions, is to describe the type and intensity of the pain. Because neck pain, back pain, and sciatica vary from patient to patient and incident to incident, and because pain is an abstract concept, not easily identifiable or quantifiable, ranking neck pain, back pain, and sciatica on any sort of a scale is at most minimally helpful and, in many instances, totally ineffective in treating the condition. Because pain is the ultimate symptom of an underlying condition, it is crucial that a medical practitioner be consulted as soon as possible after pain presents itself.

The Etiology and Treatment of Spine Pain

The etiology (cause) of spine pain may be difficult or even impossible to properly identify, particularly if medical treatment isn’t sought immediately. Several studies indicate that the sooner an individual seeks medical attention for their neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica, the better the prognosis. Significantly, one of the biggest challenges facing the medical community, particularly when it comes to spine pain complaints, and I am referring to neck pain, back pain, and sciatica when I refer to an overall category like spine-related pain, is that patients do not seek medical attention early enough, leading to an exacerbation of the underlying condition.

Treatment and Relief of Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica

There is encouraging data from several studies that would seem to indicate that approximately 3.5 to 4 in 10 chronic back pain patients, that’s pain lasting more than 90 days, recovered within a year. However, that still leaves a sizable number affected by chronic pain long term. The numbers seem to improve with exercise and there are many studies that seem to indicate that low-impact, supervised exercise is the best overall strategy for chronic neck pain, back pain, and sciatica relief. Treatment for acute spine-related pain, meaning pain lasting more than 24 hours but less and 2 weeks, generally requires a different but linked strategy. Overall, early treatment focusing on proper diagnoses and neck pain, back pain, and sciatica relief includes ice, use of anti-inflammatories (sparingly), and physical therapy. Bed rest is almost always counter-indicated and may exacerbate the problem.

Pain is Difficult If Not Impossible to Describe and Quantify!

Acute and/or chronic neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica are even more difficult to describe and diagnose because the spine is such a complex system. Only through immediate consultation with a medical practitioner, combined with a comprehensive and individualized neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica relief strategy can one hope to achieve a pain free life once again.

The answer?

1) Get a proper medical diagnoses.
2) Get active as quickly as possible.
3) Follow up with your medical practitioner at regular intervals until pain free.
4) And, most important of all, get involved in a comprehensive neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica relief program.

How to Overcome Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica: Finding Lasting Relief

Ultimately, make sure any neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica treatment and relief program includes stretching, walking, and low-impact exercise (particularly at first) to strengthen the musculoskeletal system as a whole, and the spine in particular. Focus on the 5 factors and you will be on your way to a pain free life: lose weight; strengthen your core muscles, specifically, and your musculoskeletal system, generally; work on any muscle imbalances you may have; get adequate nutrition, through proper diet, to ensure your body has the nutrients to rebuild; and finally, take in plenty of fluid to ensure intervertebral disc health (IVDs are 85% water).

If you follow the above mentioned pain treatment and relief strategies you will be on your way to neck pain, back pain, and sciatic nerve pain (sciatica) relief in no time!

If you ever have any questions, I would be happy to discuss them with you!

John

Professor John P. J. Zajaros, Sr., The Bad Back Guy
216-712-6526
866-835-2913 (toll free)
Skype: johnzajaros1
johnz@ultimatebadbackstrategies.com

PS, There is another, more in depth article on the subject of the types of spine pain…to include neck pain, back pain, and sciatica at Ultimate Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica Relief Strategies! Just click here!

PPS, For a comprehensive program tailored for neck pain, back pain, and sciatic relief, begin your new life here!

The Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica Relief 30 Day Challenge Continues

With a Look at Failed back Surgery Syndrome and Chronic Back Pain

We recently dispelled the notion that degenerative disc disease is a disease, in much the same we have discarded the notion that failed back surgery syndrome is a syndrome. Failed back surgery syndrome is a not a syndrome, it is a reaction to a myriad of factors, a set of behaviors and stresses placed on the body generally and the musculoskeletal system, and the spine, specifically.

Failed back surgery syndrome begins, necessarily, with spine surgery at some level. Back surgery, and I am speaking about neck and back surgery when I refer to back surgery, is the ultimate deadend. There is no coming back from it, pun accidental but I’ll take it. Once you open Pandora’s Box, your body is never the same. Many, myself included, have said time and time again that we will not submit to more back surgery, only to plead for our surgeon to do the deed one more time.

The neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica drives us to relent, to give in and give up, regardless of the incredible pain we know will be waiting for us upon awakening in the recovery room.

But this does not have to be the case! There is a solution, and it is not a painful one.

We simply have to change our habits and our behaviors in such a way that we deal effectively with the 5 factors I have spoken about at length:

1) Obesity or excess weight

2) Muscle weakness

3) Muscle imbalance

4) Inmproper diet and nutrition

5) Inadequate hydration leading to dehydration

If we deal with the 5 factors listed above and addressed previously, either before surgery or after, we may be able to:

a) Avoiding back surgery altogether by dealing with the 5 factors and thus alleviating and/or eliminating neck pain, back pain, and sciatica

Or

b) Assuring ourselves that we are in good shape going into the surgery, if there is no way out, and thus ensuring our recovery…and perhaps we will not have to repeat the same scenario time and time again!

Ultimately, failed back surgery is about behavior, or lack of behavior, and the failure on our part to deal with the 5 factors leading to the majority of neck pain, back pain, and sciatica. It is also about the failure of the medical community, reactive instead of proactive and preventative in nature. The combination of a lack of education, and a reactive mindset and method of treatment for neck pain, back pain, and sciatica, ensures a continuous
highway into the operating room…and a revolving door at its entrance.

I will deal with this in greater depth in a series of articles at:

Ultimate Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica Strategies of The Bad Back Guy

And we will continue The 30 Day Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica Relief Challenge here!

Don’t hesistate to contact me if you have questions, comments, or concerns.

John

Professor John P.J. Zajaros, Sr., The Bad Back Guy
216-712-6526
Skype: johnzajaros1
johnz@ultimatebadbackstrategies.com

PS, Don’t forget to get started and reclaim a pain free life, overcoming failed back surgery syndrome, if appropriate, at the single best neck pain, back pain, and sciatica relief and treatment program I have found!

I subscribe to Google Alerts, and a few other services, for terms like neck pain, back pain, sciatica, sciatic nerve pain, arthritis, and a few others. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Google Alerts, it is a service that allows me to keep track of certain subjects I am interested in. I subscribe to certain words and phrases in order to keep track of what is going on in my area of specialization and so I can advise you when something really useful comes across my monitor.

This is the find of thing that comes across my desk, in a manner of speaking, every day!
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“Sciatica is single of the top results of pinched nerve agony and without favoritism nothing special. The sciatic nerve leaving the spine through a herniated disc gets pinched resulting in pain that travels down the back of your leg towards the feet. The anguish can come to pass felt anywhere from the back to buttocks to hips and can come to pass soft to unbearable. This sorrow and results in the field of a scratchy feeling before shocking sorrow the whole time the strut and every now and then numbness in the field of the leg. Even though the pinching happens in the sphere of lone place the ensuing agony can be located anywhere and different from lone person to one more.”

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The origin of this garbage, and I am being kind, isn’t important. What is important is that you understand that just because it is in writing doesn’t make it so.

My Grandfather, a self-made multi-millionaire, used to say:

Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see…even from me!

I think that’s wise advise with respect to much of what you hear, see, and read on the Internet, as well.

Many of you have been following me for quite some time, either on this blog, one of my others, via social media or in some other manner. As a result, you know my story, a bit about me, and a bit about my background. I am basically an open book! Even so, it is understandable, especially in light of the kind of thing I copied and pasted above, that you would…and should be…skeptical.

When receiving information on the web, it is a good idea to verify and validate, particularly when it comes to your health. The old saying, “You only have your health,” is so true, it is precious and it should be guarded. As a result, you need to take what you see and read online with an eye towards of caution.

I have been dealing with the consequences of a bad back, meaning neck pain, back pain, and sciatica my whole life. I educated myself so I could understand what had happened to me and how I could best go about fixing it. The neck pain, back pain, and sciatica led me to self-education and that led me to formal education. As a result, I have probably researched the spine and sacroiliac, and handled as many spines and pelvises, as any layman alive…and probably more than quite a few MDs, DCs, and DOs in related and non-related fields!

That’s why the kind of thing above just crawls under my skin!

People searching the Internet for information about neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica either have a pain issue of their own or they are attempting to educate themselves in order to help someone they care about and love. When they run across the kind of cr#p above, it puts the person suffering from neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica at risk. Ultimately, it may end up creating even more pain for the individual seeking information and help. This is a big problem, not only for the people suffering from neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica but for people trying to provide accurate and useful information.

I don’t know where exactly I am going with this except to say be careful and check information you receive out!

Chances are if someone is willing to put their name and contact information where everyone can readily access it, you are in good hands. However, if you can’t tell who or what has generated the information you are thinking about using? Move on to the next site! Heaven knows, there are enough of them on the Internet.

I have been in pain, I have suffered incredible pain and hardship as a result of my neck pain, back pain, and sciatica…my bad back. I would never think to prey upon someone that desperate for help. But some will! So, please be careful and take care of one of your most precious assets, your health.

Should you ever want to discuss information you come across on the Internet, or anywhere else for that matter, I will be available for you.

I am NOT a medical practitioner!

However, I have had 14 spine operations, 1 major shoulder reconstruction, some assorted knee work, and my doctoral research was on the age-progressive phenomena affecting the spine and the sacroiliac joint. So, from the stand point of both a neck pain, back pain, and sciatica sufferer, as well as an academician, I have a unique perspective and can probably relate to what you are going through better than most “laymen.”

Take care of yourself!

John

Professor John P. J. Zajaros, Sr., The Bad Back Guy
216-712-6526
Skype: johnzajaros1
johnz@ultimatebadbackstrategies.com

PS, For a well-established, reputable program with an iron-clad guarantee (because it works), the one with the same strategies I used, and still use, for my neck pain, back pain, and sciatica…just click this link!

Imagine a little over a year ago being in so much pain you spent 2 of every 4 weeks out of every month in the hospital, from December of 2004 until April of 2008, several years lost forever due to chronic pain and depression.

Depressed and suffering from chronic neck pain, back pain, and sciatica, I rarely ventured out of the house. In fact, I left the house just once or twice a month, and then only to go to the doctor’s office for appointments or to go to the hospital to be admitted. That was my life, consumed by pain for years with no resolution, no relief, and no effective neck pain, back pain or sciatic nerve pain treatment offered…no hope, no future in sight. Or so I thought!

Failed back surgery syndrome or more simply the phrase “failed back,” degenerative disc disease, arachnoiditis, scar tissue, and several other conditions were diagnosed and depression was an obvious result, a black hole many chronic pain sufferers endure daily and for months, if not years, at a time.

So, when you see the video here, keep in mind that this is a year or so later. I have been reborn, there is no other way to describe it! It started with a decision, the first steps were the most difficult, and the most painful. But what was the alternative? A life of neck, back, and sciatic nerve pain and depression? There had to be a better way!

I found it and you can too! A life free of chronic pain, no more neck pain, back pain or sciatica…ever again!

It is up to you because there is a way out, there is a way to beat your pain, to find real and lasting pain relief, and it doesn’t have to include surgery.

Go to what I feel is the best self-help treatment around, one I wholeheartedly endorse, and one that can change your life forever! I have a new life and you can too!

http://TheBadBackGuy.net

Begin a neck pain, back pain, and sciatica relief program that can change your life, forever.

Go to:

Ultimate Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica Relief Strategies for more articles and information on pain relief for various “bad back” conditions.

Follow the 30 Day Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica Relief Challenge!

Join us!

Professor John P. J. Zajaros, Sr., The Bad Back Guy
216-712-6526
Skype: johnzajaros1
johnz@ultimatebadbackstrategies.com

The 3 Primary Causes of Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica

Back Pain Relief: The 3 Primary Causes of Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica

Neck pain, back pain, and sciatica affect millions of people worldwide every year. No group is immune from neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica, although certain demographic groups seem to be at greater risk. The back pain complex may manifest itself as a dull, aching feeling or it may present as a sharp, almost unbearable pain ceasing all movement and activity until properly addressed; and, that means seeing a medical practitioner. Or, the symptoms may appear anywhere along a continuum from dull and barely noticeable to sharp, intense, and debilitating. The etiology, or cause, of the pain may be immediately apparent or an individual may wake up in the morning with a new “friend.” In fact, many of the most serious incidents of neck, back or leg pain (sciatica) are seemingly innocuous at the time, with the individual only later realizing that he or she has injured himself or herself.

The Process of Aging

So, who is most likely to suffer from this common, often debilitating condition? The most obvious answer is everyone. However, while true, certain groups are at greater risk, for a myriad of reasons from aging to the type of work we do. The first reason, the most common reason, is that we get older; and as we age, certain parts of the body, in this case primarily the neck and back, just don’t handle the aging process well. The older we get, the greater the likelihood is we will develop symptoms associated with what is commonly referred to as a “bad back.” As a rule, middle-age (30-40 years of age) is when the symptoms associated with the back pain complex first present themselves; and, men are more likely than women to present with symptoms. The difference between men and women tends to balance out somewhat after menopause, and this is generally associated with the consequences of osteoporosis.

Sedentary Lifestyle and Inadequate Fitness

The next cause of neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica we will examine is poor or inadequate fitness. Significantly, poor fitness ranges from carrying a few too many pounds around the midsection, to consequences associated with a sedentary lifestyle. The secondary curvatures of the spine, the curvatures associated with the neck or cervical region, and the lower back or lumbar region, are most affected because of their function and the biomechanics involved with walking on two legs. The neck and the lower back are particularly prone to injury, and with it varying degrees of pain. As we age, as our muscles weaken due to inactivity. The muscles atrophy, meaning they get weaker and lose tone and strength. As the muscles weaken, the secondary curvatures of the cervical and lumbar regions come under tremendous pressure as they are responsible for holding our heads upright and standing upright, walking without being bent over. The atrophied musculature, no longer doing an adequate job of supporting these two vital areas, have some of their work taken over by the intervertebral discs (IVDs) and the vertebrae themselves. When this transfer takes place, the spine comes under constant assault, and injury is the result. Degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, bulging discs, osteophytosis, and back sprains and strains are just a few of the many things that can go wrong as a result of poor fitness.

Overweight and Obesity

The third and final reason to be covered in this article is obesity. Obesity in the United States, and in much of the developed world, has reached epidemic proportions. If we carry just an extra 20 pounds, we are seriously affecting our overall health, as well as the health of the musculoskeletal system. The spine, already at risk due to inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle, comes under incredible stress, particularly at the secondary curvatures of the neck and lower back. Much of the neck pain, back pain (particularly lower back pain), and sciatica are the direct result of too much weight being carried by the body, too much stress placed on the spine.
Think about the following example: Take a 20 pound dumbbell or a 20 pound bowling ball and put it in a book bag, one of those the kids use for school. Now, wear it in front instead of on the back, and wear it all day. Get the idea? Carry that around all day, with the weight forward, and see if you can still move by the end of the day. Interestingly, most overweight individuals are more than 20 pounds overweight and experiencing neck pain, back pain, and sciatica they don’t have to, just because they are overweight!

The Back Pain Complex: In Concert

Taken in concert, aging, poor fitness, a sedentary lifestyle, and obesity lead to what I refer to as the back pain complex. The back pain complex, meaning any combination of neck pain, back pain (again, particularly lower back pain), and sciatica is avoidable or treatable, depending on your current state of fitness. Failed back surgery is a reality, a rather harsh one for many. Many never had to undergo surgery the first time, had they simply followed a few simple to implement bad back strategies.

I hope you will continue to read: Part II of Back Pain Relief: The Primary Causes of Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica.

Tired of neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica? Join me as we take back our lives…back pain free! Get pain relief by taking the first step with me!

Act now! This is the answer and you are entitled to a free trial, you have nothing to lose but the pain!

Just click here and get started today!

Best wishes for your health and a pain free life!

Professor John P. J. Zajaros, Sr.
216-712-6526
Skype: johnzajaros1
johnz@ultimatebadbackstrategies.com

Join me at http://UltimateBadBackStrategies.com for a great newsletter and articles on how to stop back pain and sciatica!

Join me in the park with TuffGuy! Day 7’s message is about how to stop back pain & sciatica & beginning to live life pain free!

Try http://thebadbackguy.net it will give you your life back…a back pain and sciatica free life!

John Zajaros, The Bad Back Guy
216-712-6526
Skype: johnzajaros1
johnz@thebadbackguy.com

http://HowToStopSciatica.com Works!

Imagine waking up in the morning pain free! No more back pain or sciatica guaranteed! Imagine reclaiming your life & not experiencing discomfort of a bad back, ever! Day 6 of the “Walk Away from Back Pain” went off without a hitch! Also join me at http://UltimateBadBackStrategies.com and then try http://TheBadBackGuy.net for information, a great newsletter, and a life changing program!

John Zajaros, The Bad Back Guy
216-712-6526
Skype: johnzajaros1
johnz@thebadbackguy.com

Go to http://UltimateBadBackStrategies.com after this and check out the articles and sign up for the newswletter!

We are 17% of the way through our 30 Day Walk Away from Back Pain and Sciatica! If you have started with me, you are probably beginning to feel a bit better about yourself for the effort! If you are in too much pain to begin? The Bad Back Guy Program will give you your life back! Watch this video and then act! You have nothing to lose but the back pain and sciatica!

John Zajaros, The Bad Back Guy
216-712-6526
Skype: johnzajaros1
johnz@thebadbackguy.com

Day 5! The 30 Day Walk Away from Back Pain & Sciatica! Today we talk about Pandora’s Box & failed back surgery. How to avoid it!

Try The Bad Back Guy Program for Ending Back Pain and Sciatica…It works!

John Zajaros, The Bad Back Guy
216-712-6526
Skype: johnzajaros1
johnz@thebadbackguy.com