This is Why I Am The Bad Back Guy!

NOT because I have a “bad back!”

While I have suffered with a bad back for years, I no longer suffer from the consequences of a bad back.

As many of you know, once you have a bad back, there are certain strategies, bad back strategies, you must apply to your day-to-day life in order to get through the day in one piece.

However, it is possible to reclain your life and live pain free!

Neck pain, back pain, and sciatic nerve pain do not have to be your constant reality…or a life sentence…I am living proof!

After 14 major spine surgeries, surviving advanced and aggressive osteomyelitis, almost 15 years of pain medication addiction (yes, addiction!), everything from T12 to S1 fused, a herniated disc at T7-8, and compressed vertebrae at C5 and C6, I live pain free. If I can live pain free…you can too!

Meaning, I now longer suffer from:

• Neck Pain
• Back Pain
• Sciatica
• And the myriad of other consequences associated with a “bad back”

You can apply the same strategies I have and reclaim your life! No spam, no scam, no B.S. Just common sense bad back strategies combined with a neck pain, back pain, and sciatic nerve pain relief program that works!

Ultimately, it is up to you!

But this is why I do what I do…this letter from “Bill,” and a follow-up, is why I am The Bad Back Guy!

NOTE: Even with Bill’s permission to sue these, I feel funny about using his name on the Internet…so I am using “Bill.” If “Bill” wants to reveal himself in a comment or in some other way, that is entirely OK with me. He is a great guy!

This is just one example of the letters, emails, Skypes, phone calls, and emails I get daily from people all over the world…people reclaiming their lives…as I have:

Hi John-

I was up to 281 and now am 233. I need to get to around 195-200ish. I seem to have a lot of muscle imblances I am working on.

I had back surgery in 1988 for a synovial cyst removal. Hemilaminectomy and made a full recovery after 5 yrs of pain.

Fast forward to 2004 where i was throwing heavy logs and pop. I thought it was lumbar because my back and leg were killing me. 2 MRI’s and many docs later no back injury. However, i continued to get worse and eventually could not work. It had what they call pubalgia. It is where the adductors and rectus abdominis tear off the pubic bone causing massive pain in the pelvis and back. I had surgery in May 09 and it is finally healed, however now i am left with opposite side back pain and burning in both hamstrings throughout the day. I am extremely tight in the legs and psoas muscles which they say put me into an excessive lordosis. I work out hard but it is hard to because I flare up so easily. i go for massages as well. I am loads better than i was but still have pain daily. I must foam roll and stretch daily. I have blown through my life savings pretty much except 50k of my retirement left. I hope i can go back to work again. By looking at me you would never know but the pain has beaten me down.

That is why your story is important to me. (emphasis added)

Cheers!

“Bill”

“Bill” also sent me the following after a recent blog post, a blog post in which I mentioned some of the attacks from people looking for ulterior motives in my message:

John-

Great work. We believe and are not naysayers. I think many people > doubt because they are afraid…same with the fact that some of Dr. Sarnos work has validity. Many can just not grasp they can get better and sometimes it comes out as anger, doubt and jealously.

Keep up the inspirational postings. It means more than you know. (emphasis added…and it is “Bill” who inspires me!)

“Bill”

For the FTC, I have these emails, and others, on file and have “Bill’s” permission to use them!

JOHN-

you can use anything i post

“Bill”

This is why I do what I do! This is why I am The Bad Back Guy!

I said a long time ago, in Bad Back Guy years, not in geological time (a little paleo-humor there!), I would continue to offer assistance and inspiration as long as one person was inspired to reclaim their life…and I meant it!

What has happened is remarkable!

You have inspired me!

On my way to helping others with their neck pain, back pain, and sciatica?

My readers and viewers have helped and inspired me! In fact, you have given me many times more than I have have given you!

You have inspired me!

So, I want to thank all of you for your emails, letters, Skypes, phone calls (yes, phone calls! How cool is that?!), and comments.

Comment more!

Keep your inspiring stories, questions, and comments coming and I will provide as much useful information as I can, information you can apply to your lives, as I have, to reclaim your life, a life free of neck pain, back pain, and sciatic nerve pain (sciatica).

Contact me any time!

John

Professor John P. J. Zajaros, The Bad Back Guy
216-712-6526 (home)
216-539-7412 (office)
Skype: johnzajaros1
Bus email: johnz@ultimatebadbackstrategies.com
Personal email: excellencepaidforward@gmail.com

PS, Any advice I offer is anecdotal, I am not a medical practitioner, I am a physical anthropologist! Before beginning any sort of a neck pain, back pain or sciatica relief strategy make sure you are cleared by a medical practitioner, preferably one specializing in orthopedics or neurology. Disclaimers are the essence of CYA, and a necessity, in today’s world…unfortunately!

CANI! Constant and Neverending Improvement!

For a year now, and with real intensity and focus since the end of June 2009, I have been attempting to help others deal with their neck pain, back pain, and sciatica. It has been my sincere desire to help as many people as possible overcome their neck pain, back pain, and sciatica and achieve real and lasting pain relief!

The last year has been as much of an education for me as it has been for those of you willing to read my articles and watch my videos…then applying what I have suggested into action.

I certainly hope I have helped at least a few of you achieve lasting neck, back, and/or sciatic nerve pain relief!

Why?

Well, for many reasons.

Yes, I will admit when I started with all of this I thought it would be a decent way to make a living and help people deal with their neck pain, back pain, and sciatica at the same time.

Now?

I have benefitted in ways I never could have imagined when I started this. Not only have I helped others, verified through countless emails, Skypes, and even a few phone calls…but I have also helped myself. In fact, I have helped myself in ways I simply could not have anticipated a year ago.

Ultimate Bad Back Strategies and The Bad Back Guy were perhaps not the best choices for names but they accurately described my condition and my mindset at the time.

And now, I would probably be better described as The Healthy Back Guy! Certainly, a much more positive description than the
former.

In either case, I have been fortunate to parlay my education as a physical anthropologist and my background as a strength coach and trainer of athletes into something useful. Along the way I have learned more about marketing, and I started my marketing career in 1974, so I am not a novice, and, I have learned a great deal more about computers and the Internet.

So, my education, while far from complete, has allowed me to prosper in ways I could never have imagined while helping others deal with their chronic pain; and, in particular, their neck pain, back pain, and sciatica.

I have also helped myself and relieved my own very acute and chronic neck pain, back pain, and sciatica, as well as several other health issues, while I have been at it.

All of this started with a decision!

I got to a point where the pain of being in pain wasn’t as great as the pain of my life…so I acted.

I have never looked back!

CANI! Is a Tony Robbins concept and it means “constant and neverending improvement!”

CANI!, in one form or another, has been taught by the masters from the beginning of history. In fact, there are examples of a consistent and concerted effort overcoming great odds going back thousands of years!

Why?

Because it works!

Consistently applied, constant and neverending action focused on a predetermined goal has moved mountains, literally. It has led to constant and neverending improvement…CANI!

CANI! can certainly work for you in overcoming your neck pain, back pain, and sciatica.

It simply, or not so simply, takes a decision, an action followed by another action, one built upon the next in a consistent and constant manner until the outcome you
imagined, or couldn’t have imagined as in my case, changes your life once and for all.

There!

Did I say that in enough ways…enough times?

Ultimately? It is up to you!

One more time!

It begins with a desicision, followed by an action, and then repeated constantly and consistently over time. If you apply this concept to your life I can assure you of one thing, your life will be different, it will be better, and it will be amazing!

I guarantee it!

Contact me anytime!

John

Professor John P. J. Zajaros, Sr., The Bad (Healthy) Back Guy
216-712-6526
216-539-7412 (bus)
Skype: johnzajaros1
johnz@ultimatebadbackstrategies.com

PS, If you are ready for that first step, if you are ready for the New Year…to begin anew…with little or no neck pain, back pain or sciatica? Simply click this link and begin today!

Revisiting and Building Upon Our Understanding of the 5 Factors and How to Relieve Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica Longterm!

We have talked about the 5 factors I feel are most responsible for neck pain, back pain, and sciatica. Of course there are others, like stress and stress-related and trauma-related events. However, most of these can be traced back to some sort of issue with overall spine health, and spine health is often associated with one of the 5 contributory factors:

1) Excess weight and/or obesity

2) Muscle weakness (to include atrophy due to a sedentary lifestyle)

3) Muscle imbalances (perhaps the least understood of the 5 factors)

4) Inadequate diet and nutrition (a combination of the proper foods at the right times and in the right amounts)

5) Dehydration (or lack of proper hydration due to inadequate fluid intake)

The 5 factors are, once again, not the only factors contributing to neck pain, back pain, and sciatica, but they are the ones that in my opinion set an individual up for:

1) Spine-related stress injuries

2) Being more susceptible to traumatic injuries to the spine

3) Being more susceptible to age-progressive phenomena (e.g., degenerative disc disease)

4) And a myriad of other pathologies and injuries to the musculoskeletal system generally, and the spine specifically.

Once the musculoskeletal system begins to weaken, there is a ripple effect throughout the body, both in terms of structure and function. As the body struggles to adapt and to compensate for weaknesses, deficiencies, and other spine-health related issues, neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica become a reality. As we age, the effects of, and the overall breakdown in the system has lasting consequences, some of which cannot be offset or reversed. However, many may be slowed and some may be reversed with the proper spine-health strategy.

Meaning, you must deal with the 5 factors!

The proper neck pain, back pain, and sciatica relief and treatment strategy, combined with a focus on musculoskeletal health generally, and spine health specifically, will lead to a significant reduction in present pain levels and a reduction of future stress-related and traumatic injuries to the spine.

We will deal with each of the 5 factors in depth over the next week, as we begin to wrap up the current The 30 Day Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica Relief and Treatment Challenge.

It is my hope that by understanding each of these key factors you will have the necessary information to begin your journey towards a pain free life…a life free of neck pain, back pain, and sciatica.

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, To begin today, to deal with your neck pain, back pain, and sciatica once and for all, simply click here! It all begins with a decision that you are not going to live in pain any longer! I hope that day is today…for your sake! I will do all I can to help!

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!

Chronic Neck Pain, Back Pain, Sciatica, and Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

In order to properly understand failed back surgery syndrome, we must first define it. Unfortunately, failed back surgery syndrome is something of a misnomer. In fact, FBBS is no more a syndrome than degenerative disc disease is a disease, and yet, they both contribute to neck pain, back pain, and sciatica. FBBS is actually an expression of chronic neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica after one or more surgeries.

The etiology of chronic back pain associated with FBBS is usually attributed to one or more failed spine surgeries, along with a myriad of other contributing factors. The failure of the surgery, combined with an array of physical, psychological, cultural, and even socio-economic factors, results in what is commonly referred to as failed back surgery syndrome.

Failed back surgery syndrome is one of the most perplexing, and costly issues facing orthopedic medicine generally, and orthopedic surgeons specifically. The cost of FBBS is not only a reality in terms of the human cost, it has trememdous social and economic costs, as well.

Particularly problematic is the fact that the spine is an incredibly complex structure and there are as many reasons why people have neck and back surgery as there are reasons why that surgery fails. Researchers have generally divided back pain sufferers who have undergone surgery into one of two groups.

In the first instance, the first group, the neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica sufferer underwent surgery that was never really called for or, if it was called for, a positive outcome was doubtful from the start. Or, the patients had surgery, it was necessary, but the outcome was less than desirable. Interestingly, individuals with a sciatic nerve pain complaint, sciatica, were more likely to achieve a positive outcome. However, individuals complaining of the more general “back pain” did not.

The remaining group of neck pain, back pain, and sciatica patients underwent operations that were inadequate and/or incomplete. Patients in this category, particularly those affected by a bulging or herniated disc, often had other pathologies, such as stenoses, that were overlooked, missed or even ignored.

Failure in most of the medical literature to address things like patients returning to work and to a productive lifestyle, make it difficult to quantify with any confidence the long term success of most back surgeries. However, the data suggests that the overall outcome is not good, particularly when the area causing the pain cannot be clearly identified or when more than one level of the spine is affected, as in the case of an individual presenting with chronic and/or acute neck pain, back pain, and sciatica; and, showing signs of advanced degenerative disc disease.

Failed back surgery syndrome is a major problem for patient and surgeon, alike. Not only are there issues associated with continuing neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica but there are social, cultural and financial considerations as well.

In the next two articles we will explore in depth some of these factors and why an individual should do everything possible to avoid spine surgery if at all possible. The best strategy for neck pain, back pain, and sciatica treatment and relief is not back surgery, in fact it should be the last alternative, one that should be avoided if at all possible. Failed back surgery syndrome is one of the most complex and least understood issues facing orthopedic medicine, we will discuss the reasons for this next.

John

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

PS, Considering back surgery but want to take steps to avoid it and overcome your neck pain, back pain, and sciatica at the same time? Just click this link and take the next step to a pain free life!

Chronic Back Pain and Understanding Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

The Risk of Failed Back Surgery is very real! When facing chronic and/or acute neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica we will do just about anything to achieve pain relief. The fact is, we will do anything for just a little relief, and many agree to back surgery, even more than once, in an attempt to get just a little relief. I know, I’ve been there!

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is a reality everyone considering back surgery of any kind should consider. The numbers for people experiencing complete neck, back or sciatic nerve pain relief from back surgery aren’t encouraging!

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome can actually be broken down into three parts and, in order to do it justice, that’s what I am going to do with it. Failed back surgery syndrome is a reality for people who have had back surgery that has failed, but it is also a reality for people considering back surgery and for people about to undergo back surgery. Unless considered individually, the full impact of this condition will be lost on those most at risk…those suffering from chronic neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica having had surgery taht failed and for people about to go “under the knife.”

So follow the articles over the next 3 days at:

Ultimate Neck Pain, Back Pain and Sciatica Relief Strategies

As we discuss, at length, the issues that may affect anyone considering back surgery.

John

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

The 30 Day Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica Relief Challenge: Walking and Pain Relief Part II

As you begin to plan your neck pain, back pain, and sciatica treatment relief program, whether as part of the 30 day challenge or simply as a way to overcome acute and/or chronic pain, stretching and exercise will come into the picture almost at once.

Stretching and low-impact exercises are generally the pain relief strategies most medical practitioners start you out on. This is mainly because these medically supervised pain relief strategies are conducted in a controlled environment, one they have you visit in order to undergo some sort of physical and/or exercise therapy, sometimes one in the same.

However, if you are beyond the physical therapy stage, either because your insurance has run out or because you have given up on traditional medicine (actually quite common with chronic pain sufferers), you can still walk out your front door and have access to one of the best exercise strategies for your neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica; and that’s walking!

Walking is a great overall exercise, offering aerobic benefit, core muscle development, and overall muscle tone and strengthening!

The combination of benefits offered by walking, including real and lasting neck pain, back pain, and sciatica relief, if instituted and integrated properly, will have a spill-over effect into virtually every area of your life.

The video below addresses some of the finer points you need to know as you begin a walking program designed for neck pain, back pain, and sciatica relief.

As noted in the previous video, your shoes and socks are crucial, along with basic foot care. There is an article and a video on footwear and care of the feet, focusing on some of the issues you may face when beginning your neck pain, back pain, and sciatica relief program, as well. In addition to footwear, the surface you walk on is crucial and if you must walk on concrete, as many in urban and suburban areas must, then footwear becomes all the more important.

I hope this video helps, I put it in as an add-on because this is such an important topic.

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me, I am always available for people suffering from neck pain, back pain, and sciatica because I know where you have been. If you have any other questions or concerns, you may find the answers in articles at:

Ultimate Neck Pain, Back Pain & Sciatica Relief Strategies

Or follow along and join in The 30 Day Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica Relief Challenge by reviewing the videos here on this blog!

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, If you are ready to begin your neck pain, back pain, and sciatica treatment and relief program, I recommend you click this link and begin today! I will help you along for the first 30 days and be available to you 24/7 via email and Skype IM for any questions or concerns you may have.

Whether you are just stumbling upon this for the first time or you have been with us all along, this is a wrap up of the first 7 days of The 30 Day Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica Relief Challenge.

The Tools to Succeed on Your Journey Towards Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica Relief

The video below includes everything you need to know and do to begin your journey to a neck pain, back pain, and sciatica free life. If you take the first steps as outlined here, and then continue to follow for the next 3 weeks, and beyond, you will be on your way to real and lasting neck pain, back pain, and sciatica relief. It all begins with a decision and builds from there.

CANI! Will Be Your Best Strategy

As Tony Robbins calls it, CANI! Constant and never ending improvement!

In this case, it means building one day on the day before until neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica is a thing of the past. Every day things will get a bit easier, your journey full of anticipation, expectation, and excitement. The fact is, if you are like me, you had almost given up on ever living a pain free life again. Once you accept that it is not only possible but probable…heck, it’s guaranteed…you begin to get excited, you begin to look forward to life again, and you will once again believe there is a life full of promise and joy just waiting for you!

Life can be amazing again and you do not have to endure neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica any longer. Just make a decision, take the first step, click this link, and I will be along there with you…if that is your wish.

A Cautionary Note!

Be careful! Along with your new-found enthusiasm comes a tendency to want too much, too soon. That is a trap! If you do too much too quickly, you may actually derail your entire neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica relief program. It’s like going out the the very first day running and trying to run the Boston Marathon…it can’t be done. And, it may end up doing more damage than good. So, take it easy, take it slow, build one day upon the one before, and before you know it you will have a new and exciting neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica free life!

Join us and take back your life! You will never be sorry you made the decision to take the first step. Just take the first step, it won’t be easy…but it will be amazing!

I guarantee it!

John

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

PS, Just click this link and begin your journey to a neck pain, back pain, and sciatica free life!

PPS, Enjoy the video…I liked the music!

As you begin your neck pain, back pain, and sciatica relief program, it is important to chronicle everything, from your picture as you begin to how you feel on a daily basis. The combination of a personal assessment and daily journaling will help you note problem areas, areas of concern, as well as assist in tracking your progress over a period of days, weeks, months, and even years. The more accurate the record, the more encouraging the data!

Beginning a Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica Relief Program

Beginning a neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica program is never easy. However, it can be very staisfying and rewarding. The secret to a successful neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica relief program is to take things one step at a time and journal everything. A journal will not only allow you to track your progress, it will also help you to target problem areas and deal with them before they short circuit your overall pain relief program.

Journaling and Your Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica Relief Program

Journaling can take many shapes and forms, from an online journal to a bound, diary-type journal. In either case, use the journal daily, add to it often, and keep it religiously.

As you begin to stretch, exercise, and walk, you will find plenty to write about, ideas and sensations will flow. The best way I have found to record the myriad of ideas, impressions, and sensations (pain, pleasure, etc) you will have, particularly as you begin your neck pain, back pain, and sciatica relief program, is by either using a small, digital, hand-held recording device or by simply writing them out, using an inexpensive 3 x 5 spiral notebook you can carry in your pocket.

Digital Recording and Your Daily Walking Program

The digital recording device can be purchased for approximately $20…or you can go all-out and get one with all the bells and whistles for as much as $100. The nice thing about spending a little more now is that you can often find recorders that are small, hand-held, and very versatile. You can also use the better devices to download your recordings directly to your hard drive and, in some instances, use voice recognition software to immediately transcribe your audio, saving tons of time and effort.

The Notepad Method of Note Taking: Old Reliable

The notepad method, and I have used both, is also quite nice for those on a budget; and, for those of you like me who like to have a written record for future reference…just in case the nice, shiny, modern computer should decide to crash! That’s what they have back-ups for, right? Interestingly, I have also discovered a certain something that goes on in the brain when you write something down, so maybe I am old fashioned but I still like the notepads.

Both Methods of Data Collections Work for Your Ideas and Impressions

However, as noted above, I use both and they both have their benefits…neither having any real drawbacks. In either instance, you will end up with a wealth of material for your neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica relief journal and an array of great ideas to inprove other areas of your life as well. The choice is yours, the most important thing to do something, and be consistent about it.

The Personal Assessment: The Real Foundation of Your Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica Relief Program

In addition to your recordings, digital or written, you should also do a thorough personal assessment before beginning your neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica relief stretching, walking, and exercise program. The personal assessment is broken down into two components, one being visual and the other, full body measurements.

The Visual Assessment

The visual portion of the personal assessment is done in a bathing suit or underwear, having someone photograph you from the front, back, and both sides. Additionally, photos should be taken waist up and full length. It is also a great idea to use a short video of yourself when you begin, also in bathing attire or underwear. The idea is to get a baseline, a series of photos, images to use for comparison along the way.

Measurements: The Tale of the Tape and Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Sciatica Relief Program Results

Along with the photographs, you also need to measure your body from neck to ankles. The measurements are particularly important, as they will provide you with another baseline series of measures, one that is completely objective. As you become more active, particularly if you begin walking as part of your neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica relief strategy, the tape will tell the story, as will the pictures. The tape is a much better gauge of your progress than the scale, for a number of reasons, some I get into in the video below, others I will touch on in future videos.

CANI! Constant and Never Ending Improvement…Real and Lasting Pain Relief!

Overall, the success of your neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica relief program depends on constant and never ending improvement, what Tony Robbins calls CANI! I have integrated CANI! into my overall health and wellness plan, to include my neck pain, back pain, and sciatica relief strategy, with tremendous results and you can too.

The Importance of Journaling and the Personal Assessment: The Basis of Success

I can’t overstate the importance of journaling, combined with an accurate personal assessment, to include a visual assessment and measurements. To succeed, accurate and timely records need to be kept, not only as a gauge for tracking your progress but as a source of inspiration. You will see results quickly, particularly if it has been some time since you have been active. Accurate and visual records will enhance your results and your overall sense of accomplishment, thus ensuring you stay on the path to neck pain, back pain, and sciatica relief.

John

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

PS, For the best overall program for neck pain, back pain, and sciatica relief…including a super personal assessment to get you started. These are the strategies that changed my life, they can give you back yours!

This is Day 5 The 30 Day Neck Pain, Back Pain and Sciatica Relief Challenge! Today we will discuss ice vs heat. Until recently everyone believed heat was best for neck pain, pain relief, and sciatica. In fact, heat was the best strategy for almost all pain relief…was!

For as long as I can remember, which is a long time (but not as long as my kids think it is!), people have been telling me to use heat for relief and treatment of my neck pain, back pain and sciatica.

Interestingly, this even includes medical pratitioners…including physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons. However, the most recent research seems to indicate that ice, and not heat, is the best neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica relief strategy, both short term and long term.

There are a number of reasons for the change in thinking among much of the medical community, particularly those associated with orthopedic medicine and rehabilitation, but also pain management specialists.

Interestingly, many of the reasons why ice is such an effective neck pain, back pain, and sciatica relief strategy should have been apparent all along!

1) Ice reduces swelling and inflammation. Swelling and inflammation can cause pressure on the nerve roots, and spinal and sciatic nerves generally, intensifying the level of pain. Consequently, more swelling and inflammation leads to acute, and often chronic, neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica.

2) Ice acts as a vasoconstrictor at first, meaning it restricts blood flow to the injured area.

3) While ice initially reduces the tissue temperature surrounding the affected, after approximately 20 minutes ice actually begins to enhance blood flow, increasing the temperature of the neck or back being treated.

4) Ice even accelerates the healing process in addition to alleviating and eliminating neck pian, back pain, and scitiaca.

5) Ice alleviates and/or eliminates discomfort and the muscle spasms often associated with neck pain, back pain, and sciatica.

6) Ice may also reduce or eliminate the chane of blood clots being formed and tissue damage.

7) Ice may also increase nutrient flow to the affected area. Interestingly, the associated blood flow will also help the body rid itself of waste in and around the injured site.

Ice and the associated blood flow, both tissue and arterial, have also been shown to enhance bone metabolism, thus improving the rate of healing in and around the affected, particularly in and around affected joints (e.g., sacroiliac).

9) Ice may also reduce neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica in individuals just beginning to exercise. Ice may be appropriate during gentle, range of motion exercises early in the rehabilitation process.

Overall, ice is the ultimate neck, back, and sciatic nerve pain treatment and relief strategy. Ice has long been thought of as a first step in an overall treatment strategy leading to heat as the second and final step, and that it was thought heat would enhance healing, while ice would not. Most of the medical community now realizes that this is not the case, ice is an effective immediate and a long term neck pain, back pain, and sciatica treatment and relief strategy.

The application of ice can take many forms but the overall strategy can be implemented by using the well-known mnemonic….R.I.C.E…rest, ice, compress, and elevate the area above the heart (when appropriate). Ultimately, an ice-compression brace works best because you can slip it on and go about your daily activities if you need to…or you can sit back in your recliner, as I have demonstrated in a previous video, and wait for the neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica relief to begin.

As an overall pain relief strategy, you simply can’t beat ice!

John

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

PS, Don’t forget, for real and lasting neck pain, back pain, and sciatica relief…join me! Guaranteed and the 30 day trial is free. It doesn’t get much better than that. Imagine? Relief from your neck pain, back pain, and sciatica begins with one click…and a single step!