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Back Pain   - Self-Help for Back Pain

by Pete Moore

  http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/
Articles/Back%20Pain/moore37_p.htm

An interesting testimonial on the problems encountered getting good care.  He eventually found a well designed pain clinic in England and found help controlling his back pain.


Pain Net:  http://www.painnet.com

Great page .  The link goes direct to the general information page ,including free publications on back pain, patients bill of rights and what to expect from a healthcare provider.

 They have lots of information on, education, etc. for healthcare providers and a public information section.


This is a page brought to you by the physical therapists at the University of Virginia

Back Injury Prevention -- How to avoid a painful back!

http://www.virginia.edu/~enhealth/ERGONOMICS/toc.html



COMPUTER 
NECK ARM WRIST
SYNDROME
RSI: Repetitive Strain Injuries

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Deborah Quilter's Page  http://www.rsihelp.com/

Very comprehensive.  A health professional with a pro web site.


Los Angeles RSI Support Group Home Page



Silicon Valley Ergonomics Institute at SJSU: -

 http://www.tifaq.com

Wow!  20 pages of  frequently asked questions, links, etc.

Remember, the standard approach for joint pain 
is to start with the least 
invasive treatment and progress to more invasive.  

An example of least invasive to most invasive would be:

rest - physical therapy - medication - 
bracing- injections - surgery (usually the last resort)


 
Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) can cause wrist/ forearm or hand pain.  In my experience it is much more common than "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome"



Many people think they have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.  In my experience Carpel Tunnel Syndrome is usually not the source of computer hand syndrome.  Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually caused by pressure on the medial nerve (seen in orange above) as it passes through the carpal tunnel (formed by the bones below -in gray- and the ligament above -in white. ) 

Common causes include sleeping with your wrist bent fully forward.  This condition may be aggravated by placing too much pressure on a wristrest.  Try to rest lightly on the wristrest of and keep your wrist in neutral (not bent forward or back) or rest the forearm not the wrist on the wrist rest. 




BOOKS

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"Treat Your Own Back" by Robin McKenzie, MD is an easy to understand, guide to prevention and basic treatment for low back pain.  

Includes description of how your discs work.   It sells for under $15.00.  
In my experience, his "Treat Your Own Neck"  is less helpful.  Use caution with the recommended neck stretches.  They are both available at. 
Be sure to bookmark our page before you leave us.


"Back Care Basics"  by Schatz is a great book to get you started with yoga without hurting your back.  She has step by step instructions for each pose, including pictures of the beginning pose,  common mistakes made when trying a pose and then the advanced pose.
 


"The Back Pain Source Book" by Levin-Gervael gives you all the basics.  Also has a good description of a variety of treatment options.  


"Neck and Arm Pain" and "Understand Your Back Pain" by Cailliet is a classic.  There are very detailed technical  anatomical descriptions descriptions of your spine.  It is a bit hard to understand for a non-medical person.  The treatment section is weak.


 "Sex and Back Pain" by Hebert is a no nonsense guide that shows you how protect your back and continue to enjoy a healthy sex life.  Yes, there are pictures but if you are looking for pornography you will be disappointed.


"The Computers Survival Guide" by Joan Stigliani is a great ergonomics guide.  She shows you how to configure your office correctly and thereby reduce repetitive stress problems.  


"Sitting on the Job" by Scott W. Donkin is a comprehensive guide to use of correct posture and stress reduction in a work environment.


ARTHRITIS

 Most MD will suggest you try a combination of glucosimine and  chondriotin for osteo-arthritis.  " The Arthritis Cure,." is the book that popularized this treatment.
 
Current thinking is that inflammation is the root cause of many diseases including arthritis, heart disease, strokes, Alzheimer's.  Can this be controlled with diet?  Take a look.

BOOKMARK BEFORE YOU LEAVE THIS PAGE


Dr. Jon has become famous for his practical home remedies.  He sponsors a non profit web pharmacy.  I have purchased supplements there myself and the prices are great. Sing on to his news letter at:

 ARTHRITIS TIPS, by Dr. Jon   "By far the best remedy I have found is a combination of glucosimine, chondriotin and bromelain.  There are many on the market selling for 10-90 dollars.  The best value I have found is here ."

Dr. Jon's newsletters are available here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/drjoncat/messages



PAIN CONTROL

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THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PAIN MANAGEMENT  first they define pain management then go on to give you some tips.

an excerpt, from the page " WHAT IS PAIN MANAGEMENT ?

(i) the systematic study of clinical and basic science and its application for the reduction of pain and suffering; (ii) the blending of tools, techniques and principles taken from the discrete healing art disciplines and reformulated as a holistic application for the reduction of pain and suffering; and (iii) a newly emerging discipline emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach with a goal of reduction of pain and suffering."

www.aapainmanage.org




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EMPLOYEE BENEFITS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Are there benefits to employers as well as employees when your company provides benefits?  What should we do about uninsured kids?  This site explores current healthcare questions.

http://www.ebri.org

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