There are limitations to conventional medical treatments of chronic pain. Of course, there are a variety of pharmaceutical approaches to pain management, but almost all of them have negative side effects, including dizziness, nausea, and the risk of developing a dependence on the medicine.

Because conventional medicine does not always have effective responses, Complementary and Alternative Medicine is an important option for many who suffer from chronic pain.

Benefits of Yoga for Chronic Pain

Yoga is an effective treatment for chronic pain because it works both the mind and the body. As a low-impact exercise, it provides gentle stretching that can ease stiffness and pain. As a meditation procedure, it helps to keep the mind alert and calm, and reduce the perception of pain.

Studies have shown that yoga is “effective in the treatment of chronic pain, including osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and fibromyalgia. In the studies reviewed, patients saw significant reductions in joint pain, muscle stiffness, and overall physical discomfort while greatly improving their flexibility, range of motion, and muscle strength.”

Five Exercises

Keep in mind that for beginning practitioners, it’s always best to get experienced guidance when trying yoga. Proper form is important, and watching videos can only take you so far. If you have a serious condition such as disc diseases, you should also check with your doctor before trying yoga. If you can’t do the poses by yourself, pillows or foam supports may make it easier.

Cobra pose. This is a simple exercise that can help greatly with lower back pain. Lie facedown on the floor with your legs stretched straight back and toes pointed backward. Place your forearms on the floor and push upward, lifting your chest but keeping your thighs and groin on the floor. Don’t forget to breathe! Lift as far as you can without pain, hold the pose for a few seconds, and slowly lower again.

Dolphin pose. This is an easier variation of the well-known downward dog pose that does not stress the arms as much. It still provides a strong full-body stretch that loosens and strengthens the legs and core. Start on your hands and knees, with knees directly under your hips and forearms flat on the floor. Press your toes to the floor and lift your buttocks toward the ceiling. Straighten your legs if you can, but keeping them bent is okay. Keep your upper body straight as well — don’t flex your back or push your head into the floor. Hold for a few second and then lower again.

Butterfly pose. This stretch helps painful hips and backs. Sit on the floor with your legs in front of you. Press the soles of your feet together and keep them together as you move your knees apart, lowering them as far to the floor as you can (but don’t force it!). Hold as long as comfortable, and then raise your knees again.

Mountain pose with shoulder stretch. For shoulder/neck pain. Stand straight upright and reach your right hand back to the back of your neck, and your left hand around your back. Move the hands together slowly and clasp them, keeping your spine straight. (If you can’t clasp your hands, hold a strap or rope between them.) Then slowly lift your right elbow as far as you can and hold a few seconds. Release and repeat on the other side.

Supine torso twist. Another pose useful for back pain. Lie flat on your back with your arms out in a T and your feet on the floor, knees up. Slowly lower your knees toward the left side. Go as far as you can without lifting your shoulders from the floor. Hold for a few seconds, then return to center and repeat the exercise toward the right side.

To learn more about how to manage and relieve chronic pain, contact the Pain Care Clinic of Idaho at 208-629-2492 or visit paincareclinicofidaho.com.

Sciatica is pain in the lower back or legs caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. The largest nerve in the body, the sciatic nerve stretches from the lumbar spinal cord in your lower back all the way down to your feet and is responsible for transmitting sensory information from these areas of the body. Sciatic pain is usually felt extending from the lumbar area to behind the thigh, and can even reach below the knee. In most cases is it felt on only one side of the body at a time.

Pain from sciatica can range from mild to severe, and it may feel like it’s radiating over a large area or be sharp and localized. Transitioning from sitting to standing and vice versa can trigger sharp sciatic pain, as can any sudden lower-back movement. Those suffering from sciatica can experience leg numbness, “pins and needles,” burning sensations, foot numbness, limping, and muscle weakness.

Common causes of sciatica are a herniated disk pressing on the nerve, trauma to the lower back, pregnancy, joint dysfunction, degenerative disc disease, and spondylolisthesis.

Herniated disc: This is one of the most common causes of sciatica. A herniated or bulging disc can cause disc material to push against a nearby nerve root, compressing the nerve tissue and causing sciatica. In addition to this pressure, a herniated disc also contains hyaluronic acid, which can cause nerve inflammation, compounding the pain from the compression.

Degenerative disc disease: Though the name is frightening, this is the most common cause of lower back and neck pain and is simply a byproduct of aging. One of the symptoms of degenerative disc disease is inflammation that can irritate the sciatic nerve. Another symptom is muscle spasms attributed to the body attempting to stabilize the spine to prevent additional damage, which can impinge on the sciatic nerve in the process.

Pregnancy: Weight gain and elevated fluid retention associated with pregnancy can compress the sciatic nerve where it passes through the pelvis. An expanding uterus can also compress the sciatic nerve at the base of your spine. In the third trimester, when the baby begins shifting into the birth position, its head can end up pressing against the nerve.

Spondylolisthesis: This condition is most prevalent in older individuals, characterized by the bones, joints and ligaments in the spine gradually weakening and losing their ability to keep the spinal column properly aligned. As these spinal components shift, they can encroach on the sciatic nerve, putting pressure on the nerve and causing pain when standing or walking.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

The sacroiliac joint connects the spine with the pelvis. Sciatic pain arising from sacroiliac joint dysfunction is not true sciatica, as it does not involve compression of the nerve root, but stems from joint inflammation that can irritate the nearby sciatic nerve. The symptoms, however, can be similar.

There are three million cases of sciatica in the United States each year. Sciatica is usually self-diagnosable and may not require lab tests or medical imaging. Some cases of sciatica can benefit from self-care treatments such as applying an ice pack to the affected area, regular physical exercise, and stretching. More serious cases may require physical therapy, massage, acupuncture or chiropractic treatment. In addition to these physical treatments, some severe forms of sciatica may require an epidural steroid injection to alleviate the pain, pain medication, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants or analgesics like Tylenol.

Sciatica pain can last weeks or months, depending on the root cause and treatment used. There is no quick fix, but the right treatment and management can relieve the pain and allow the resumption of normal activities. For diagnosis and treatment recommendations, contact the Pain Care Clinic of Idaho to schedule an appointment. Call (208) 629-2492.

Acupuncture is one of the most sought after natural treatment methods for a variety of medical conditions. The ancient practice that originated in China over 4,000 years ago has been found to calm and relax patients, fight allergies, and lessen chronic pain. Here are some of the ways that medical acupuncture treatment at Pain Care Clinic of Idaho could help you.

Improved Digestion

A 16th century Chinese doctor, Yu Jia Yan once wrote, “If the stomach is strong, life will be healthy. If the stomach is weak, life will be unhealthy.” Good digestion is the key to a long, healthy life. Acupuncture works to calm inflammation while also waking up body parts that are working less efficiently, making it a perfect treatment for digestive concerns. Stomach cramps, constipation, or irritable bowel syndrome are some stomach concerns that may improve with the treatment of underlying digestive issues.

Less Chronic Pain

Acupuncture is most well-known as a natural form of pain relief. It can treat neck tension, low back pain, headaches, and chronic pain. These treatments increase mobility overall, but can also be used after an injury or accident to get you back on your feet faster. Acupuncture specifically encourages cortisol flow to painful spots, helping to mobilize joints and allowing some movement while relaxing and releasing muscles.

Acupuncturists will look at not only the site of your pain, but also surrounding areas that might be feeding the pain – such as tight feet or shoulders throwing off the hips or spine.

Fight Allergies

An allergic reaction occurs when our immune system responds to some allergen, such as pollen or pet dander. Acupuncture can calm that immune reaction and also help relieve symptoms like a runny nose and puffy eyes. Treating seasonal allergies early on in the seasons when you suffer most is an effective way to improve your quality of life during what would normally be a miserable time of year.

A 2008 study in Germany found those with allergic rhinitis (runny nose) who received 15 acupuncture treatments had better symptom control than those who did not receive treatment.

Increase Mental Health

Consistent and good acupuncture treatment by a trained professional will leave you deeply relaxed. That’s what makes it a natural choice for those looking to calm or cope with stress and concerns like insomnia or even addiction, anxiety, and depression.

According to traditional Chinese medical theory, mental illness occurs when there is an imbalance within the body. Acupuncture and oriental medicines were found to have the ability to detect energetic changes that occur in the body and relive symptoms, thereby restoring equilibrium.

Improve Sleep

Struggling to sleep at night is frustrating for many Americans. Additionally, insomnia has been linked to a number of other health problems, like heart disease and weight gain. Acupuncture’s ability to leave you more relaxed and less anxious may also encourage you to fall asleep more easily. If your insomnia is caused by chronic pain that keeps you awake or wakes you up throughout the night, acupuncture can be an effective treatment that ultimately allows you to find better quality sleep.

Acupuncture has also been shown to help manage sleep apnea, with targeted treatments strengthening the tongue. This treatment helps prevent the tongue from dropping back during the night and blocking your airway.

Regular acupuncture can identify imbalances and guide patients to move towards more optimal health. By stimulating the natural healing process of the body, acupuncture can safely, gently, and effectively manage many health issues in patients of all ages. Visit Pain Care Clinic of Idaho for more information about acupuncture or call for a confidential, no-obligation evaluation: 208-629-2492.

The Japanese traditional medicine style known as Kiiko Matsumoto (KM) is based on an interpretation of classic Chinese acupuncture. Through abdominal palpation, the use of reflex zones, shallow needling, and a unique set of tools (including diode rings and diode chains), KM provides a holistic approach to addressing chronic pain and other health issues.

Diode rings and diode chain therapies are noninvasive methods to reduce pain, inflammation and swelling, and accelerate healing. Diode rings and chains work with the ion flow of the body to produce a healing micro-current to reduce pain and promote healing. By strategically placing a diode ring or a series of diodes (which can be wrapped, say around a limb), treatment can direct the body’s own energetic current toward healing.

Diode Rings

A diode is an electrical component that conducts electricity in just one direction. According to ancient Chinese medicine, energy flows through the human body on pathways called meridians. The heart of acupuncture is to promote healing by restoring proper energy flow along those meridians. Diodes are used to manipulate and direct the flow of energy, just as they direct the flow of electricity.

“The use of the diode is like a “gate” that allows electrical energy (that exist in the body) to move in one direction and in a particular level. The use of these tools helps to move the stagnated energy (cause of the pain) from one area to another and balance the stagnated energy of the injured site,” according to the Integrated Medicine Institute.

Diode rings, diodes mounted on a copper ring are particularly effective at relieving inflammation, pulling out the energies causing inflammation as well as bruises, and bone and ligament issues.

Diode Chains

Diode chains can be rings that have been soldered together or individual diodes soldered on a chain, interspersed to optimize energy flow in the area of the body surrounded by the chain. Chains are specifically used on joints (where they can surround or wrap the joint), such as wrists, ankles, and knees where the target, inflamed area is too large for one or two rings.

Many people notice that wearing diodes helps reduce stress, fatigue, eyestrain, and other effects associated with prolonged stressors like sitting for periods, working on a computer, or typing. People also report reduced jet leg and reduced fatigue when traveling. Diode treatment has been found to assist in a number of health issues, such as promoting proper organ function and metabolic processes, reducing inflammation, and improving mobility.

At Pain Care Clinic of Idaho, our practitioners offer a range of drug-free treatments and therapies that will help you get quick and lasting relief from acute and chronic pain. We focus on providing real solutions and results. Discover how we can help with your condition and improve you quality of life with alternative medicinal therapies. Visit Pain Care Clinic of Idaho or call for a confidential, no-obligation consultation: 208-629-2492.