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A new study suggests that sleep problems lead to increased pain and fatigue in cancer patients. The results indicate that interventions aimed at trouble sleeping would be expected to improve both pain and fatigue in this patient population.
Results show that more than half the sample reported having trouble sleeping, with 26 percent reporting moderate or severe trouble sleeping. Compared with patients who reported no trouble sleeping, patients with moderate to severe trouble sleeping reported significantly more fatigue, pain and depressed mood. Using structural equation modeling analysis to evaluate causal relations and directions of effect, the best-fitting model indicates that trouble sleeping led to increased ratings of pain.
According to the authors, the relationship between pain and sleep often has been assumed to be reciprocal. In the present study, however, a model of reciprocal causation could not be fit to the data, and models in which pain caused trouble sleeping did not fit as well as the model in which trouble sleeping caused pain.
“We believed we would find a bi-directional relationship between insomnia and pain, but instead found that trouble sleeping was more likely a cause, rather than a consequence, of pain in patients with cancer,” said lead author Edward J. Stepanski, chief operational officer at the Accelerated Community Oncology Research Network in Memphis, Tenn.
The study included demographic, clinical and patient-reported outcomes data from 11,445 cancer patients undergoing treatment at the West Clinic, a large community oncology practice in Memphis. Participants had an average age of 61.5 years, and 74 percent were female. Breast cancer was the most common form of cancer, and about 25 percent of study subjects had received chemotherapy in the last 30 days. Increases in depressed mood also led to increased ratings of pain.
Younger age and recent administration of chemotherapy were both associated with increased trouble sleeping. According to the authors, younger patients often receive more aggressive chemotherapy than older patients; therefore, younger patients may be exposed to more treatment-related toxicity.
Stepanski stated that several studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) improves sleep in cancer patients who have insomnia. He believes that this type of intervention may decrease patients’ pain and fatigue by improving their sleep.

Adapted from materials provided by American Academy of Sleep Medicine, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
Journal Reference:
1.The Relation of Trouble Sleeping, Depressed Mood, Pain, and Fatigue in Patients with Cancer. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, April 15, 2009

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The Health of Your Back Can be a Sign of Your Overall Health! Does Your Back Hurt? You May Need a Lifestyle Adjustment

By: Dr. Tod Sinett And Dr. Sheldon Sinett

Losing weight, changing dietary and exercise habits, and reducing stress may not seem like common prescriptions for treating those aches and pains that may ail your back — but these things often go hand in hand with successful treatment for back pain. This is why successful treatment for back pain means a patient often ends up with benefits way beyond simply a healthier back!

The connection between health and back pain

It’s always interesting to look at the statistics between other areas of health and back pain. Eighty five percent of Americans do not exercise regularly. Eighty five percent of Americans also suffer from back pain. The truth is, back pain is almost always multi-factorial, and not addressing all pieces of the puzzle means managing back pain rather than treating it! There are three main causes of back pain. They are structural: (muscles and bones), nutritional (diet and hormones), and emotional, (stress, anger, resentment, etc.) This dynamic triad is in constant flux. If one side gets thrown off balance, the other sides will be affected as well.

In treating back pain, I always make sure to address each of these areas because they almost always overlap. For example, overweight people tend to have more back pain because of the pressure on their spine (a structural problem). Even though changes in eating habits, such as reducing refined sugars and caffeine, can have their own positive effects on back pain, these healthy dietary changes can also lead to weight loss. And that weight loss alleviates the structural problem of too much pressure, as well. A similar situation is found in smokers. Smoking cigarettes actually causes a structural problem within the back by dehydrating the spinal discs, resulting in serious pain. However, many smokers also lead less healthful lifestyles, including drinking more caffeine and exercising less.

Additionally, high stress levels (emotional) can cause a rise in a hormone called cortisol, leading to inflammation in the body and increased back pain. Combine this with a tendency to eat foods high in sugar caffeine while stressed and you’re just adding more fuel to the fire.

The back door approach

The great thing about a multi-factorial approach is that you can usually work on one aspect of back pain by taking care of another part of the triad — and wind up solving multiple problems at once. This approach of treating the root cause rather than just the symptom is referred to as the “back door approach”. In other words, it’s not always what hurts that is what needs to be fixed! If someone is suffering from back pain from emotional causes, you can use the back door approach and treat the emotional stress to relieve the back pain without ever touching the back. For example, exercise and stretching is a proven stress reliever. So even though exercise might not seem like the best cure for back pain, in this case it might just do the trick. The results are then cyclic — as you reduce stress, back pain becomes lessened, mood improves, you’re less likely to eat sugary foods or reach for caffeine, and so on.

On the same note, someone who has great difficulty changing their diet might fare better by first focusing on structure and stress reduction. When this happens, their cravings for sugary foods are diminished because the body is in better balance. Once again, an effect of the back door approach — by impacting one aspect of back pain you solved the other two.

Patients often ask me for my favorite strategies for managing back pain. Here are the three things that I tell them:
Keep stress levels under control. This means effectively juggling work, family, and personal needs. Over time I have learned that this is one of the areas that most people neglect most. Finding the right ways to deal with stress (which can be different for everyone) is one of the healthiest things that you do for yourself. And remember, if you don’t take care of yourself, it’s more difficult to take care of the people who depend on you.
Maintain dietary balance and decrease overall portion size: Eat a variety of healthful foods, avoid most processed foods, and choose organic whenever possible. I definitely still enjoy an occasional bowl of ice cream, dessert, or potato chips, but always aim for moderation. You’ll find that filling your body with healthful foods leaves little room for the not so healthy stuff! Overeating the wrong, or even the right, foods causes fluctuations in blood sugar and digestive irritation/overload. Unstable blood sugar can cause irregular moods, which leads to stress and inflammation in the body. Digestive irritation and inflammation causes stomach upset, muscles cramps, body aches, and back pain.
Take care of your structure: Get treated once a week by a chiropractor, stretch and exercise regularly, and see a massage therapist about once a month.
I’d like to leave you with this: If you have back pain, embrace the pain and figure out what your body is telling you. You may not like the message, but you can be sure that if you work on the emotional, chemical, and physical aspects of your health, it will be more than your back that feels better!

© 2008 Dr. Tod Sinett and Dr. Sheldon Sinett

Author Bio
Dr. Todd Sinett is the owner of the Midtown Chiropractic Health and Wellness practice in New York City (www.midtownchiro.com), which provides chiropractic care and applied kinesiology, nutritional and supportive counseling, and physical and massage therapy to thousands of individuals, including noted sports figures and celebrities. The center hosts weekend wellness programs and corporate informational seminars and publishes a periodic online newsletter, Balance in the Body (www.balanceinthebody.com). Sinett has appeared as clinical expert on many television programs including The View, FoxMD, and Good Day New York. Visit his website at www.drsinett.com.

For more than forty years, Dr. Sheldon Sinett was a leading chiropractor and pioneer in combining chiropractic medicine with a variety of cutting-edge, holistic practices.

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For more information, visit www.thetruthaboutbackpainbook.com.

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Cancer pain: Relief is possible

From MayoClinic.com
Special to CNN.com

Not everyone with cancer experiences cancer pain, but one of out three does. If you have advanced cancer — cancer that has spread or recurred — your chance of experiencing cancer pain is even higher.

Cancer pain strikes in many ways. Your pain may be dull, aching or sharp. It could be constant, intermittent, mild, moderate or severe. Timothy Moynihan, M.D., a cancer specialist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., offers some insight into cancer pain, reasons why people might not get the pain treatment they need and what they can do about it.

What causes cancer pain?

Cancer pain can result from the cancer itself. Cancer can cause pain by growing into or destroying tissue anywhere near the cancer. Cancer pain can come from the primary cancer itself — where the cancer started — or from other areas in the body where the cancer has spread (metastases). As a tumor grows, it may put pressure on nerves, bones or other organs, causing pain.

Recent research has shown that cancer pain may not just be from the physical effect of the cancer on a region of the body, but also due to chemicals that the cancer may secrete in the region of the tumor. Treatment of the cancer can help the pain in these situations.

Cancer treatments — such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery — are another potential source of cancer pain. Surgery can be painful, and it may take time to recover. Radiation may leave behind a burning sensation or painful scars. And chemotherapy can cause many potentially painful side effects, including mouth sores, diarrhea and nerve damage.

How do you treat cancer pain?

There are many different ways to treat cancer pain. The ideal way is to remove the source of the pain, for example, through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or some other form of treatment. If that cannot be done, pain medications can usually control the pain. These medications include:

• Analgesics, such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others)
• Weak opioid (derived from opium) medications, such as codeine
• Strong opioid medications, such as morphine, oxycodone, hydromorphone, fentanyl or methadone

These drugs can often be taken orally, so they’re easy to use. However, it you’re unable to take medications orally, they may also be taken intravenously, rectally or through the skin using a patch.

In September 2006 the Food and Drug Administration approved a new form of the opioid fentanyl (Fentora) that dissolves in your mouth. This medication may be particularly effective for intermittent pain episodes, which are sometimes called “incident pain.” These fentanyl tablets dissolve rapidly, and the drug is absorbed through the lining of your mouth.

Specialized treatment, such as nerve blocks, also may be applicable. Nerve blocks are a local anesthetic that is injected around or into a nerve, which prevents pain messages traveling along that nerve pathway from reaching the brain. Other therapies, such as acupuncture, acupressure, massage, physical therapy, relaxation, meditation and humor, may help.

In your experience, what are some reasons for not receiving adequate treatment for cancer pain?

Unfortunately cancer pain is often undertreated. There are many factors behind that, some of which include:

• Physician knowledge. One factor has to do with a physician’s knowledge and ability to treat and recognize pain. Some physicians and other health care professionals may not specifically ask about pain, which should be a normal part of every cancer patient’s visit. Cancer patients should be asked if they are having any pain. If they are, the physician should stop there and deal with the issue. Some doctors don’t know enough about proper pain treatment. If this is the case, your doctor might refer you to a pain specialist.
• Patient reluctance. A second factor might be a patient’s own reluctance. Some people might not want to “bother” their doctors with the information, or they may fear that the pain means that their cancer is getting worse. Some are reluctant to report it or report it as thoroughly as they should because they’re worried about what doctors or other people might think of them if they complain. They might feel that because they have cancer, they’re supposed to have pain and be able to deal with it. That simply isn’t true.
• Fear of addiction. Another factor might be a person’s fear of becoming addicted to the pain medications. This is something that we know doesn’t typically happen if you take medications for pain. If you take them when you’re not in pain or to get high, then, yes, you can get addicted. But the risk of addiction for people who take pain medications in an appropriate fashion — for pain — is very low, so this shouldn’t be a concern.
• Fear of side effects. Some people fear the side effects of pain medications. Many are afraid of being sleepy, unable to communicate with family and friends, acting strangely, or being seen as dependent on medications. People are also sometimes afraid that taking morphine may shorten their life. There is no evidence of any of these happening if the medication is dosed appropriately. And although strong pain medications can cause drowsiness when you first take them, that side effect usually goes away with steady dosing.

What side effects can you expect from cancer pain treatment, and what can you do about them?

Each pain treatment may be accompanied by its own unique side effects. For example, radiation treatments may cause redness and a burning sensation of the skin. And, depending on what part of the body the radiation is applied to, the radiation may cause diarrhea, mouth sores or other problems, such as fatigue. Chemotherapy certainly can cause side effects, such as nausea, fatigue, infection and hair loss, but it can be effective in relieving pain if it shrinks the tumor. There are medications to help with nausea. Relaxation techniques also may help.

Pain medications each have their own unique side effects that should be reviewed with your physician before taking them. One of the common side effects of the stronger pain medicines is constipation — common to opioids. It can be treated with appropriate bowel regimens as prescribed by your doctor, such as adding a stool softener and something to stimulate the bowels. Preventing constipation is much easier than treating it, so anyone who takes these strong pain medications should automatically begin a regimen to keep their bowels moving. Some of the other side effects of the strong pain medications include confusion, lethargy and sleepiness. The severity of these effects varies from person to person and commonly occurs with the first several doses. But once a steady amount of the medicine stays in your body, the side effects usually resolve. Hallucinations and behavior changes are uncommon.

The less potent pain medications actually may have more side effects, which also should be discussed with your physician before taking them. For instance, anti-inflammatory drugs might damage your kidneys, cause ulcers or increase your blood pressure. Aspirin can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can cause liver damage if you take too much.

When should you discuss cancer pain with your doctor, and what points should you bring up?

Report any bothersome pain to your physician. If there is a minor pain that goes away, don’t worry about it. But if the pain interferes with your life or is persistent, it needs to be reported and should be treated. Although no one can guarantee that all pain can be completely eliminated, most pain can be lessened to the point where you can be comfortable.

It may help to keep track of your pain by noting how strong it is, where it’s located, what makes it worse, what brings it on, what makes it better and anything else that happens when you have the pain. A pain-rating scale from 0 to 10 — with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain you can imagine — may be helpful in reporting pain to your doctor. In addition, pay attention to what happens when you attempt to relieve your pain. If you take medicine, do you feel any ill effects from it? If it’s a massage or something physical that relieves the pain, those therapies are important to report, too. Note whether they cause any ill effects.

What steps can you take to make sure you’re receiving adequate cancer pain treatment?

First, you need to talk to your doctor or health care provider if you’re having pain. Second, you and your doctor should set a goal for pain management and monitor the success of the treatment against that goal. Your doctor should track the pain with a pain scale, assessing how strong it is. The goal should be to keep the pain at a level with which you’re comfortable. If you aren’t achieving that goal, talk to your physician. If you’re not getting the answers you need, request a referral to a facility more skilled in the care of pain, particularly a major cancer center. All major cancer centers have pain management programs. For the most part, the medications and treatment for pain are covered by standard insurance.

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ScienceDaily — Patients with fibromyalgia treated with a synthetic form of marijuana, nabilone, showed significant reductions in pain and anxiety in a first-of-its-kind study, published in The Journal of Pain.

Fibromyalgia syndrome has no cure, is difficult to diagnose, and effective pain management strategies are a must to help patients cope with the disease. An estimated 12 million Americans have fibromyalgia, which is characterized by widespread muscle and joint pain and myriad other symptoms. The condition is far more prevalent in women and the incidence increases with age, reaching 7 percent among women 65 years and older.

Forty subjects were selected for the nabilone trial, conducted by researchers at the University of Manitoba Rehabilitation Hospital. They were divided into nabilone and placebo groups and were treated for four weeks. The authors noted this was the first randomized, controlled-access trial to evaluate nabilone for pain reduction and quality-of-life improvement in fibromyalgia patients. Nabilone is one of two oral marijuana-based compounds, known as cannabinoids, available in Canada and is approved for treatment of nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy.

Results of the Manitoba study showed the nabilone group had significant reductions in pain and anxiety, measured by comparisons with baseline scores on the visual analogue scale for pain, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and the FIQ anxiety score. From the data, the study concluded nabilone has significant benefits for pain relief and functional improvement in fibromyalgia patients. Although the improvement was significant, none of the nabilone-treated subjects had complete relief of their fibromyalgia symptoms.

The drug was well tolerated by treated patients, which the authors characterized as reassuring since fibromyalgia patients are sensitive to most medications and have difficulty tolerating side effects. The downside, however, is cost. In Canada, nabilone would cost about $4,000 for a year’s supply.

The authors believe their findings warrant consideration of nabilone as an adjunct to current medical management of fibromyalgia.

Adapted from materials provided by American Pain Society, via Newswise. (Feb. 18, 2008)

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If you have been diagnosed with cancer pain, talk to your doctor to learn whether you may be a candidate for a pain-control pump (intrathecal drug delivery). Your doctor (or a doctor to whom you are referred) will put you through a screening process to determine if these treatments may benefit you. Results vary; not every result is the same.

by Terry OBrien

The Pain caused by cancer usually falls into one of two categories:

Nociceptive Pain and Neuropathic Pain.

Nociceptive pain is caused by damage to tissue. It is usually described as sharp, aching, or throbbing pain. It is often due to tumours or cancer cells that are growing larger and crowding body parts near the cancer site. It may also be from cancer that has spread to the bones, muscles, or joints, or caused a blockage of an organ or blood vessels.

Neuropathic pain happens when there is actual nerve damage. It may be caused by a tumour pressing on a nerve or a group of nerves. People often describe this pain as a burning or heavy sensation, or numbness.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer pain, talk to your doctor to learn whether you may be a candidate for pain-control pump (intrathecal drug delivery). Your doctor (or a doctor to whom you are referred) will put you through a screening process to determine if these treatments may benefit you. Results vary; not every result is the same.

Key messages about cancer pain

The experience of pain will be different for every patient.

? Pain does not always get worse. The level of pain experienced may remain unchanged, or may increase or decrease. In any situation medication can be adjusted to ensure pain relief.

? Pain is not related to the extent of the cancer. Experiencing pain does not necessarily mean that the cancer is more serious than if you had no pain.

? Take action as soon as the pain starts. Take pain relief when you first start to feel uncomfortable. It is harder to ease pain once it has taken hold. Taking medication for pain relief when the pain is bearable will not make the medication less effective later. The aim is to prevent pain. If you wait until the pain comes back you will suffer from unnecessary pain.

? When pain relief is taken regularly or ‘by the clock’ (such as every 4 hours), there is little danger that you will become addicted to these drugs. Addiction to pain killers is very rare in women with metastatic breast cancer. The dose can be tailored to your needs. Doses are increased or decreased according to the severity of your pain.

? Drugs for pain do not usually make you feel drowsy after the first or second day. Drowsiness can occur with strong pain relief drugs like morphine. However, the drowsiness usually passes in one or two days. People vary in how the medication affects them. You should ask your general practitioner about whether you can drive or work with machinery, and the effect of drinking alcohol with your medication.

? If one drug does not effectively help your pain, many other drugs or combinations of drugs can be used to give you pain relief. There is a large range of effective drugs for pain of all types and severity. It may take time, in consultation with your doctor, to establish the drug or drug combination that is right for you.

? Any pain can be difficult to cope with. However, pain is more difficult to cope with if you are also experiencing anxiety or depression. Also, being in pain can make you more likely to be depressed or anxious. If you are concerned by the feelings you are experiencing, it is important that you talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

Why Do People Suffer With Pain?

Many people suffer with chronic pain because they are unaware of treatment options that can help them live more normal lives. Others have fears that prevent them from talking about their pain, which in turn creates barriers to seeking adequate relief. (Not all treatment options are applicable to your type of pain.)

Read the following to see if you fall into one of these categories. If you can relate to these fears, remember that help and relief are possible, but only if you discuss your symptoms with your doctor.

? Fear of being labelled a “bad patient.” You won’t find relief if you don’t talk with your doctor about your pain.

? Fear that increased pain may mean that your disease has worsened. Regardless of the state of your disease, the right treatment for pain may improve daily life for you and your family.

? Fear of addiction to drugs. Research shows that the chance of people with chronic pain becoming addicted to pain-relieving drugs is extremely small. When taken properly for pain, drugs can relieve pain without addiction. Needing to take medication to control your pain is not addiction.

? Lack of awareness about pain therapy options. Be honest about how your pain feels and how it affects your life. Ask your doctor about the pain therapy options available to you. Often, if one therapy isn’t effectively controlling your pain, another therapy can.

? Fear of being perceived as “weak.” Some people believe that living stoically with pain is a sign of strength, while seeking help often is considered negative or weak. This perception prevents them seeking the best treatment with available therapies.

Management of Pain and side effects

You may experience acute pain due to your illness or after surgery. You do not need to put up with this pain, your health care team can work with you to prevent or control just about any kind of pain. A combination of pain control methods may be used to give you greater relief from pain.

Don’t let pain control you! Because there are many new ways to treat pain, it is important that you speak openly and honestly with your doctor or with a doctor who specializes in treating chronic pain.

BackTrouble UK.

http://www.BackDoctor.org.uk

http://www.BackTrouble.co.uk

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/controlling-cancer-pain-392461.html

About the Author:

20 years in Gen Medicine with a keen interest in Back pain and Natural therapy!Launched Back Trouble UK early 2007 to promote more quality links and information on non invasive, natural therapy for people who are suffering with back pain and other related medical conditions.

Neuropathic Pain, Nociceptive Pain, Cancer, Cancer Pain, Tumour, Intrathecal Drug Delivery,pain Management

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P.Bhargav Kashyap

Oh! Pain in the Neck?! Neck pain, at times, can become pain in the neck’ quite literally. People who have experienced neck pain alone know how painful the neck pain can turnout to be. Neck is one of the most flexible regions of the spine, which consists of vertebrae, seven shock absorbing discs, muscles, and vertebral ligaments to hold them in place. The uppermost cervical disc connects the top of the spinal column to the base of the skull. The spinal cord, which sends nerve impulses to every part of the body, runs through a canal in the cervical vertebrae and continues all the way down the spine. What causes neck pain? Most people experience neck pain at some point in their lives. Neck pain can be acute, lasting for few hours or a few weeks, or it can be chronic. Neck pain that lasts several weeks or longer is considered chronic neck pain. Neck pain can be caused by an activity or injury or by a medical condition. Your head and neck region is vulnerable to many different stresses. Bad posture can cause misalignment of your neck, head, and spine. Car accidents can cause whiplash. Age and wear and tear can cause arthritis. Even activities such as chewing gum and reading in bed and cause pain. How do we avoid these potential problems? And if we can’t avoid them, how can we recover as quickly as possible. Non-specific neck pain Many people develop a stiff and painful neck for no obvious reason. It may happen after a minor twisting injury, for example while gardening. Since the underlying cause for this type of neck pain is not fully understood hence it is called ‘non-specific neck pain’ Having non-specific neck pain does not mean that your neck is damaged. Often it happens in people whose necks would appear completely normal under an x-ray. It is the most common type of neck pain and disappears after a few days. Activities that cause neck pain Neck pain mostly is caused by activities that result in repeated or prolonged movements of the neck’s muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, or joints. This can result in a strain(an overstretched or overused muscle), a sprain (injury to a ligament), a spasm of the neck muscles, or inflammation of the neck joints. 1. Holding your head in a forward or odd position for long periods of time while working, reading, watching TV, or talking on the telephone. 2. Sleeping on a pillow that is too high or too flat or doesn’t adequately support your head, or sleeping on your stomach with your neck twisted or bent. 3. Spending long periods of time resting your forehead on your upright fist or arm. 4. Work that uses the upper body and arms, such as painting a ceiling or other overhead work. Injuries that cause neck pain The Spine consists of interlocking bones(vertebrae) and discs that separate the vertebrae. The portion of the spine that runs through the neck is known as the cervical spine. Muscles and ligaments in the neck hold the cervical spine together. Injury to any of these structures may result in neck pain. Minor injuries may occur from tripping or from excessive motion of the cervical spine. Severe neck injuries may occur from whiplash in an accident, falls from significant heights, direct blows to the face or the back or top of the head, sports-related injuries , a penetrating injury such as a stab wound, or pressure applied to the outside of the neck, such as strangulation. Pain from an injury may be sudden and severe. Bruising and swelling may develop soon after the injury. Sudden (acute) injuries can result in strain and pain in the neck, dislocation of the spin, or a ruptured disc. Medical conditions that cause neck pain 1. Neck pain may be caused by or related to medical conditions such as: 2. Cervical Spinal Stenosis 3. Cervical Spondylosis 4. Illnesses, such as meningitis, which cause inflammation around the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. 5.Chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis Torticollis (wryneck): Torticollis is caused by severe muscle tightness or a shortened muscle on one side of the neck, causing the head to be tilted to one side. Referred pain: Referred pain occurs when a problem in one place in the body causes pain in another place. For example, a problem with your jaw or your heart can cause neck pain. Infection or a tumor in the neck area. Signs and Symptoms

Neck pain takes many forms. Signs and symptoms of neck pain may include: 1. Pain in your neck that may be sharp or dull 2. Stiffness in your neck 3. Difficulty going about your daily tasks because of pain or stiffness in your neck 4. Shoulder pain in addition to neck pain, in some cases 5. Back pain in addition to neck pain, in some cases. Help yourself to prevent neck pain. Take frequent breaks: Don’t sit in one place for a long time, such as your car or at your desk. Arrange some of the items in your office that cause inconvenience. This will force you to get up, stretch or walk around. Maintain good neck posture: Adjust the seat of your computer or desk chair so that your hips are slightly higher than your knees. Your head and neck will naturally follow in the correct position. While traveling in a car, airplane or train, place a small pillow or rolled towel between your neck and a head rest to keep the normal curve in your neck. Avoid too many pillows: Avoid sleeping with too many pillows or falling asleep in front of the television with your head on the arm of a couch. Exercise: Treat your body to a consistent regimen of stretching and strengthening to balance your muscle groups. This protects your neck as well as helping your whole body. Walking at any pace is excellent exercise for your neck. The rotation of the spine provides a great natural workout for the neck muscles. Eat smart and Drink water: Good nutrition and staying well hydrated are not only important to stay healthy, but vital in the healing process. For more Health Tips: http://fitnus.blogspot.com/

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Neck pain, at times, can become pain in the neck’ quite literally. People who have experienced neck pain alone know hhttp://www.articlesbase.com/sleep-articles/ouch-pain-in-the-neck-517422.htmlowNeck Pain painful the neck pain can turnout to be.

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By Dr. Donna Schwontkowski

Who would have thought that someone healed from cancer would still have pain years later?

Ten years ago, Gerty was diagnosed with cancer of the lymph system. She received cancer treatment that included chemotherapy and had pain in her back ever since. She didn’t know what to do about it and told herself she was happy to be alive and went on through life, enduring the ‘cancer pain’.

Did you know that statistics report that 30-45% of people with a cancer diagnosis experience moderate to severe ‘cancer pain’? The incidence increases to 70 to 90% for those with advanced cancer. Studies show that even cancer survivors of 10 years or more are still suffering from ‘cancer pain’ including back and neck pain, just like what happened to Gerty.

What are the options for someone in such pain?

There’s always Vicodin. Gerty, like many others, was prescribed Vicodin that she used regularly. The problem was that as time went on, the pain really didn’t decrease much and she found herself dependent on it for the little pain control she received for the cancer pain. And even medical doctors report that the more prescription drugs a person takes, the lower the quality of a person’s life.

Until recently there have been few options for the relief of cancer pain. Although there are herbs and herbal combinations that have been created for building muscles, recovery from illnesses, eliminate infections, and stress relief herbs, the formulas on the market for natural pain relief made from herbs is limited to ones using predominantly arnica. However, arnica is not potent enough to relieve cancer pain.

One company took the problem to heart and started researching what really could be done to improve the quality of life of cancer patients. With a strong herbal research background, they knew that if they combined enough of the right herbs together in the right dosages, they could eventually assist people in the natural pain relief with herbs for cancer pain. Cancer fighting herbs take the form of herbs that boost the immune system, increase the body’s detoxification ability, support the body by providing nutrients; why not herbs that fought against cancer pain?

After much research, the scientists created a formula of 14 different herbs that resulted in cancer pain relief for those with mild to moderate pain. Some of those herbs include red sage, red peony, notoginseng root, white peony, cnidium and lotus node. The reasons why cancer pain is decreased becomes obvious when one reviews the actions of the natural herbs themselves.

Notoginseng helps control bleeding and reduces swelling and pain. Whenever any area of the body swells, there is pain because pressure and pain receptors send pain messages to the brain. That’s when we start to perceive the pain. For example, did you ever sprain your ankle? How much pain did you have from that injury? The swelling from the tissue damage contributes to the amount of pain you feel. In cancer patients, the pain can be from tissue damage as bones, muscles, and organs are destroyed by the cancer.

Red sage is used to treat abdominal pain and pain from stagnant blood. Red peony is a specific Chinese herb used for abdominal pain, rib pain, hernia, swelling and produces a tranquilizing effect. White peony is an herb that is specifically used by Chinese herbalists for pain in the chest, abdomen and ribs.

Cnidium is an interesting herb because it is known for its ability to control pain, improve blood circulation and promote the flow of life energy throughout the body. The herb contains the active ingredient ferulic acid which may contribute to its effectiveness in treating cancer pain. Cnidium has been used traditionally to treat headache, abdominal pain, and menstrual disorders.

The herbal gurus then found that not only did the combination of herbs help diminish cancer pain, but also it was quite effective for nerve pain, pain in the muscles and bones, migraine headache pain, stomach ache pain, and PMS pain. They ended up achieving their goal, that of natural pain relief using herbs, for pain.

If you are experiencing cancer pain or watching one of your loved ones experience pain, it’s good to know that now there is the possibility of relief from the world of all natural herbs.

Dr. Donna Schwontkowski is the author of Herbs of the Amazon and a master herbalist internationally known for her work. One of her goals is to make information on natural solutions for pain control available to cancer patients so that they do not have to suffer needlessly. Her website is http://www.drdonna.info More info on herbal solutions can be found at http://www.immuneenhance.com

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