Antiques by Uzi - Gift Center
Your on line Hi-Dow Massage Store.NEWSLETTER FOR YOUR HEALTH
Product Description
Product Description
Hi-Dow Two Year Limited Warranty Warranty Valid in the USA and Canada Only Hi-Dow guarantees its product free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of 2 years from the date of purchase, except as noted below.
This Hi-Dow product warranty does not cover damage caused by misuse, abuse, accident or the attachment of any unauthorized accessory, alteration to the product, or any other conditions whatsoever that are beyond the control of Hi-Dow. This warranty is effective only if the product is purchase and operated in the USA or Canada. A product that requires modification or adaptation to enable it to operate in any country other than the country for which it was designed, manufactured, approved and/or authorized, or repair of products damaged by these modifications is not covered under warranty. Hi-Dow shall not be responsible for any type of incidental, consequential or special damages. All implied warranties, including but not limited to those implied warranties of fitness and merchantability, are limited in the total duration of 2 years from the original purchase date.
Please fill out our Product Registration Form below to get a Product Registration ID within 30 days of your purchase.
Hi-Dow’s Health Minute
Our Massagers and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by the repetitive movement of the hand or wrist which leads to inflammation of the membranes surrounding the tendons, pressing the median ligament. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist that is made up of bone, ligament, and tendons. The top portion of the tunnel is formed by a band of ligament that crosses the wrist. A major nerve, called the median nerve, passes through this tunnel. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include: •Numbness of tingling in the fingers of one or both hands. •Difficulty making a fist, and, •A weaker-than-normal hand grip.
To care for carpal tunnel syndrome:
•Stop the activity is you experience wrist pain and resume the activity gradually •Alternate tasks to give your hands a rest •When using your Hi-Dow massager, attach the gel pads to the inside and outside of the wrist symmetrically and use Mode 2 as the treatment mode •Ask your doctor if you should use a splint to keep your wrist straight while sleeping (and while awake, if necessary) •If needed, you can use an OTC (over-the-counter) pain reliever to relieve the pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome
Hi-Dow’s Health Minute
Music and Stroke Victims Research studies have shown that music therapy has the ability to increase positive social interactions, motivation, and positive emotions in stroke victims. Group music therapy sessions were found to increase the ease at which stroke patients responded to social interactions and increased positive attitudes from the patient’s families. Another study examined the effect of music therapy on the mood of the stroke victim and found similar results which showed decreased anxiety, fatigue, and hostile mood states. When music therapy is combined with traditional therapy, the incorporation of music with therapeutic upper extremity exercises gave patients a more positive emotional effect that exercising alone. Another study found that the rehabilitation staff rated the participants in the music therapy group as more actively involved and cooperative than those in the group without music therapy. Because of these findings, they stated that the efficacy of music therapy is that as a complimentary therapy for social functioning and participation in rehabilitation with a trend toward improvement in mood during acute rehabilitation. Although positive changes have been associated with music therapy, there are considerations that should be taken into account, such as the patients physiological and psychological changes. Additionally, there may be mediating factors which affect the success of music therapy for stroke patients. For example, the more impaired an individual’s social behavior was at the outset of treatment, the more like he or she would benefit from the music therapy. Lastly, when music therapy was used in conjunction with traditional therapy, the patient’s rate of recovery improved tremendously, as well as their emotional and social deficits resulting from the stroke.
A Massage is more than pampering…
As a symptom to various diseases, pain is always the initial reason why a patient visits their doctor. Taking OTC (over-thecounter) or prescribed medication is, by far, the most popular way of ceasing pain, but it may have serious side effects ranging from an increased level of toxicity to causing allergies. Not only this, but excessive drug taking and addiction to pain killers are more commonly seen in patients. Ceasing pain by physical means (such as a muscle stimulator) neither does damage to tissues nor leads to functional disorders. Medical practices over the last several thousands of years have proved that massage is a quick and effective way to cease pain and can bring instant relief to some pain symptoms. As more people benefit from therapeutic massage, they are discovering the value of obtaining services from a certified practitioner. According to the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, more than 80,000 nationally certified practitioners serve millions of consumers. More than one in five adults uses massage for pain relief, relaxing, rehabilitation, and general health and wellness, and doctors often
Treating your Sprains & Strains
Ouch! That is what I think of, and many folks feel, when sprains and strains occur. A strain is caused by overstretching a muscle or atendon (which is a cord of tissue that attaches the muscle to the bone). A sprain occurs when ligaments (tissue that connects bone to bone) are stretched and torn.
If/when either of these should happen, always think of and remember RICE is great for healing. No, no, no, not the grain rice, but RICE as in Rest, Ice,Compression, and Elevation. Rest – Try not to put weight on the injured joint for 24 to 48 hours. If you are one of those people who make lousy patients and are blessed with a petrified cranium (hard head) and you must get up, use crutches to support an injured knee, ankle, or foot. If you only want to use one crutch, then place it on the uninjured side to help you lean toward that side.
Ice – Ice causes the blood vessels to constrict, which helps to keep the blood and fluid from building up in the injured area. You should apply ice or cold packs for no more than 20 minutes at a time, 4 to 8 times per day. Experts say the reasoning behind removing the ice pack after 10 to 20 minutes is to safeguard from frostbite.
Compression – Compress the injured area to immobilize it and reduce the swelling. You can use an elastic bandage (Ace® bandage, air casts, splints, and special boots. Your doctor will know which compress is right for your injury.
Elevation – Lastly, raising the injured area above your heart will allow gravity to help reduce the swelling by draining excess fluids. Although you are resting your injury during the day, place a pillow under the injured area to support and raise it. To prevent a sprain or strain you should warm up and stretch before any exercising, since cold and stiff muscles and ligaments injure easier. Also, cool down and stretch afterwards. Using proper sports equipment and techniques (bending at the knees instead of the lower back and wearing a quality shoe for running, walking, etc.) will help save you from pain. Make sure that you avoid exercising while tired or already in pain. Sometimes that adage, “no pain, no gain” is wrong. Some pains mean “you need to go sit down - now,” whereas others mean “you need to go to the gym more often.” Know the difference. If you find yourself in a position that you are unable to bear weight on your injury, you should contact your health care provider immediately. Should you happen to study your injury and notice that it appears twisted or crooked or has an otherwise unusual appearance it’s probably time for you to visit with your doctor. If the area around the injury is numb, very tender to the touch or you can see redness or red streaks around the injury, these are all indications that you have suffered some serious injury, are probably in severe pain, and it will be a treat for you to visit your healthcare provider or your local Emergency Room.
Sound Therapy
Sound therapy? What is sound therapy? Surprisingly, it turns out to be much more than my constant nagging with my son. It turns out that there really is such a thing. Sound therapy is a revolutionary new alternative therapy that is currently being experimented with which uses frequencies to help balance the body.
Everything vibrates In the field of Energy Medicine, it is known that the universe is created through patterns of frequency. Everything that exists in the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual realms does so, on a vibratory basis, which makes sense when you consider that electrons are always moving and vibrating. Although it seems strange when you first hear of “sound therapy”, the effects are seen in our every day lives. Like, when listening to the radio and you hear your favorite song which makes you want to dance along to the music, to learning a song by tapping a beat, and etc. According to research conducted by BioWaves Sound Therapy, all healing interventions must influence the body by somehow altering its frequency resonance. Healing has often been affected by such modalities as sound, light, music therapy and various other energy medicine techniques that alter the frequency patterns of an individual.
History
Sound has been a critical sense for preservation and well being from the time man lived in caves. Man’s ability to sense sound has been helpful in everything from communicating with others to alerting others of danger. The sensation of sound is one of our most primal senses, and is therefore very deeply embedded in the brain. The brains sense of hearing is the first sense to be developed while we are in our mother’s womb, and the last sense to lose in death. (I guess this would explain when my son was finally old enough to talk and for me to understand him, one day he asked me not to sing. While he was in the womb he had heard enough of my singing.) As far back as 600 BC, Pythagorias of Samos was the earliest recorded researcher of sound that scientists have been able to uncover. He was reported to have deer and other animals come out from the forest to listen to him play his dulcimer. Pythagorias is also credited with some of the first experiments in sound research. For more information sound therapy, visit the Biowaves Sound Therapy website.
MassageMouse Rises Above The Competitors... The MassageMouse rises above the competitors without even trying, due to a truly innovative new design in nerve and muscle stimulation. Adopting the international invention patent "Human Bioelectricity Simulation Techonlogy", the instrument simulates traditional Chinese massage (Tui-Na) sensations to offer muscle relaxation to computer users, just like a professional massage therapist! What Makes The MassageMouse Different? Unlike it's competitors, MassageMouse delivers electical stimulation in a constantly changing pulse of electrical stimulation to the body. Just as a professional massage, your body experiences one type of stimulation to the muscles, then it changes to another, and another. In a sense, it feels like a pushing sensation one moment, then it changes to a kneading sensation, and so on. The importance of this, is the fact of that as with the competitor's products, the body is given the same constant stimulation with only the strength of the stimulation level available for adjustment. Your body generally becomes adjusted to the electrical stimulation and requires a stronger signal to maintain the same level of effect.
With MassageMouse, the constant periodic change in the stimulation keeps the body stimulated, thus prolonged relaxation and healing of muscles is the end result. If you prefer a specific type of stimulation style that the MassageMouse provides, you also have the means to keep the stimulation on that specific setting only, without changing to another. Chinese Medicine and Bio-Electricity Stimulation Massage is a very important therapy in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been created and developed by the Chinese for centuries in their fight against muscle tension and soreness. In order to turn this traditional therapy into an easy means of self-treatment, a team of scientists specializing in Acupuncture and Meridian System started a program to develop this the MassageMouse, a bio-electricity simulating massage instrument.
After years of hard work, model JQ-1 (MassageMouse) was completed. This new model embodies a combination of the Traditional Chinese Medicine theories on meridian channels, the advanced theories of physiology and pathology, and the technique of modern electronic simulation. The researchers studied the massage techniques of many of the very best massage specialists in China and developed a number of test analysis results to find the most effective massage techniques. From their analysis, they produced a series of modulated bio-electrical signals through electronic simulation. These signals have characteristics which, when applied to proper parts of human body, could produce an effect similar to that caused by manipulation of a massage specialist. The end result, a product which is literally addictive and contributes to greater health. Some Examples of Recommended Areas... In the image below you will see a variety of examples where you should place the tabs which deliver the electrical stimulus to the body. Each area has it's own special characteristics and benefits by using the MassageMouse on these areas. The bottom line? Better health, greater comfort, and overall comfort
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy also induces relaxation, lowers blood pressure levels, lowers stress hormone levels, and reduces anxiety and depression and pain perception. This makes massage therapy a good choice of treatment for chronic back pain, breaking the vicious cycle of pain producing tension and tension producing or intensifying pain.
There are different methods of massage therapy. Deep tissue massage therapy uses great pressure while kneading and manipulating the deeper muscles and tendons. It is good for treating back pain caused by muscle spasms or chronic muscular tension.
The pain relief provided by massage therapy from loosening of muscles is augmented by the benefits of contact with the skin, which seems to have a great influence on mood and pain perception.
Stress and Back Pain
There is a strong connection between stress and back pain. Stress causes a release of stress hormones. Stress hormones increase the perception of pain.
Stress hormones also cause the muscles to tighten up. The muscles may tense up so much they go into painful spasms. Back and neck muscles are particularly sensitive to the effects of stress.
Muscle tension reduces blood flow to the tissues (reduced oxygen and nutrients to the tissues). Reduced blood flow delays healing. Adequate circulation is also necessary to flush acidic waste products (byproducts of muscular activity) from the tissues. A build up of acidic waste products in the tissues can cause fatigue and pain.
Stress in itself can cause back pain. A person with a 'bad back', e.g. a person who has scar tissue from an old injury or degenerative changes in the spine due to aging, may notice the effects of stress triggering back pain even more than someone with a healthy back. The slightest muscle tension may be 'the straw the broke the camel's back.' For instance, if spinal nerves are already restricted by scar tissue or calcium deposits it may take minimal muscle tension to compress nerves and cause pain. Sciatica may flare up when one is feeling stressed.
Tense back muscles increase back pain and pain increases tensing of muscles - a vicious cycle of stress and back pain can be created.
The back is less capable of tolerating even mild abuse (lifting something slightly heavy, poor posture, a sudden twist, sitting too long, etc) when a person is under stress. Stress causes the muscles to tighten up, leaving them vulnerable to injury.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a mysterious condition that causes pain and stiffness in the soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments) and fatigue, along with many other symptoms The cause is unknown.
Fibromyalgia does not involve inflammation or muscle damage. It cannot be diagnosed with a blood test or x-ray. (Blood tests may be taken to rule out other conditions) Diagnosis is based upon the symptoms.
Many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia are seen in other disorders such as clinical depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, low thyroid function, etc. The most distinctive symptom of fibromyalgia is the presence of tender points, which are specific spots on the body that are painful when pressure is applied.
Treatments While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, there are many ways to relieve the symptoms.
Managing Stress: When one is in pain or under any stress, muscles contract, which causes more pain. The muscles in the back and neck are especially sensitive to stress. Stress hormones that are released when one is under stress increase the perception of pain and may trigger depression, which is common with fibromyalgia
Sciatica
*If you are experiencing back pain, see a doctor who can determine the cause. If the pain spreads down your leg or is accompanied by tingling, numbness or weakness, see a doctor immediately. Occasionally, sciatica may be caused by a serious condition that requires immediate surgery.
Sciatica refers to pain along the path of the sciatica nerve. It is usually caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve. Fortunately, most cases of sciatica are not serious and usually resolve within six weeks.
The sciatic nerve branches off nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal cord – it’s two branches run from the lower back through the each side of the pelvis, buttocks, back of leg to the foot. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body and its diameter is the diameter of a finger.
Causes of Sciatica Sciatica is caused by inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve or nerve roots in the lower spine. It may also be caused by damage to nerve roots. Sciatica is not a disease in itself and its causes are various.
*Compression of a nerve is often referred to as a "pinched nerve." A "pinched nerve" in the lower spine causes sciatica.
The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc in the lumbar spine (lower back) that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve or a nerve root. A herniated disc can occur suddenly and cause acute pain or it may develop gradually.
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces in the spinal column that causes compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots. It can cause sciatica if it occurs in the lower back.
In advanced osteoarthritis of the spine, bits of cartilage may break off and float around inside the spinal joints. This causes irritation and inflammation and if it occurs in the lower back may put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Spondylolisthesis – when one vertebra slips over another – occurs most often in the lower back – where the misaligned vertebrae may place pressure on the sciatic nerve.
A less common cause of sciatica is Piriformis syndrome, a disorder in which a muscle located in the buttocks (the piriformis muscle) contracts and irritates the sciatic nerve. In this case, the pain starts in the buttocks and radiates down the leg. Piriformis syndrome is generally treated with stretching exercises, massage, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Something as simple as muscle strain can cause inflammation, which may put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Stretching exercises are usually recommended to relieve sciatica. Stretching exercises loosen tight muscles and increase spaces between the vertebrae, allowing more room for the spinal nerves. Stretching muscles in the back and buttocks and even the hamstrings (muscles in the back of the thigh) can relieve sciatica. Keeping the back muscles strong and flexible reduces the risk of a herniated disc , the most common cause of sciatica. Low impact aerobics increase circulation and promote healing. Walking, swimming, and riding a stationary bike are good low-impact aerobic exercises. Strengthening the muscles that support the spine (back and abdominal muscles) help maintain proper posture, which takes stress off the spinal joints. Strengthening exercises may cause the muscles to tighten up so stretching exercises are important. Stretching exercises that increase the spaces between the vertebrae and create more room for the discs may relieve pressure on nerves. Exercise can help prevent or slow down age-related degenerative changes in the spine and can help prevent sciatica from recurring.
TENS: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. (Transcutaneous means through the skin)
What is TENS?
Low voltage electric impulses are transmitted through the skin to the nerves to provide stimulation to sensory nerve endings. TENS is used for pain relief. TENS is believed to reduce the sensitivity of the nerves or block the transmission of pain signals to the brain. TENS may also stimulate the release of endorphins (natural pain-relieving chemicals).
Electrodes are placed on the skin at the site of the pain. Low-voltage electrical impulses pass through the skin to the nerves, stimulating the nerves.
TENS is used to treat pain caused by a variety of conditions. It is used to treat acute or chronic pain, sometimes for acute post-surgical pain. Lower back pain and pain from arthritis may be the most common reasons for using TENS.
Portable TENS Units: A TENS unit small enough to attach to a belt and can be worn all day. It is battery powered. It can be turned on and off. There is usually a continuous mode, burst mode and timer. There are two electrodes, or four electrodes in units with two channels. Some people use the unit for brief sessions only, as the pain relief sometimes last for hours
The Subluxation Theory
Chiropractic is based on the theory that if the spinal column is properly aligned, nerve impulses can freely flow along the spinal cord. If the spinal column is out of alignment (a subluxation), the flow of nerve impulses is interrupted and disease (not just back pain) result. This is called the subluxation theory. According to the subluxation theory, disorders in any area of the body can result from subluxations in the spine as the nervous system carries messages to all areas of the body. Restoring the vertebrae to proper alignment restores proper functioning of the nervous system, helping the body to heal itself.
There is presently a lack of scientific evidence that chiropractic can cure disease or restore health in general or that minor misalignments in the spine affect the spinal nerves and interrupt the nervous system. Some doctors say that for spinal nerves that exit the spine to be obstructed, the spine would have to be so out of alignment that the person would be disabled. There is evidence, however, that chiropractic treatment is an effective treatment for neuromusculoskeletal disorders.
Chiropractors that subscribe to the subluxation theory use spinal manipulation to treat a variety of conditions such as allergies, asthma, digestive problems, etc. The subluxation theory is a controversial subject between chiropractors and medical doctors and even between chiropractors themselves.
Chiropractic subluxation and orthopedic subluxation are not the same. From chiropractic perspective, subluxation or vertebral subluxation describes a very slight misalignment of one or more vertebrae. A chiropractic subluxation is usually so minor it is difficult, if not impossible to identify on an x-ray.
An orthopedic subluxation is a partial dislocation of a bone in a joint causing pain and limiting range of motion.
This Hi-Dow product warranty does not cover damage caused by misuse, abuse, accident or the attachment of any unauthorized accessory, alteration to the product, or any other conditions whatsoever that are beyond the control of Hi-Dow. This warranty is effective only if the product is purchase and operated in the USA or Canada. A product that requires modification or adaptation to enable it to operate in any country other than the country for which it was designed, manufactured, approved and/or authorized, or repair of products damaged by these modifications is not covered under warranty. Hi-Dow shall not be responsible for any type of incidental, consequential or special damages. All implied warranties, including but not limited to those implied warranties of fitness and merchantability, are limited in the total duration of 2 years from the original purchase date.
Please fill out our Product Registration Form below to get a Product Registration ID within 30 days of your purchase.
Hi-Dow’s Health Minute
Our Massagers and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by the repetitive movement of the hand or wrist which leads to inflammation of the membranes surrounding the tendons, pressing the median ligament. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist that is made up of bone, ligament, and tendons. The top portion of the tunnel is formed by a band of ligament that crosses the wrist. A major nerve, called the median nerve, passes through this tunnel. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include: •Numbness of tingling in the fingers of one or both hands. •Difficulty making a fist, and, •A weaker-than-normal hand grip.
To care for carpal tunnel syndrome:
•Stop the activity is you experience wrist pain and resume the activity gradually •Alternate tasks to give your hands a rest •When using your Hi-Dow massager, attach the gel pads to the inside and outside of the wrist symmetrically and use Mode 2 as the treatment mode •Ask your doctor if you should use a splint to keep your wrist straight while sleeping (and while awake, if necessary) •If needed, you can use an OTC (over-the-counter) pain reliever to relieve the pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome
Hi-Dow’s Health Minute
Music and Stroke Victims Research studies have shown that music therapy has the ability to increase positive social interactions, motivation, and positive emotions in stroke victims. Group music therapy sessions were found to increase the ease at which stroke patients responded to social interactions and increased positive attitudes from the patient’s families. Another study examined the effect of music therapy on the mood of the stroke victim and found similar results which showed decreased anxiety, fatigue, and hostile mood states. When music therapy is combined with traditional therapy, the incorporation of music with therapeutic upper extremity exercises gave patients a more positive emotional effect that exercising alone. Another study found that the rehabilitation staff rated the participants in the music therapy group as more actively involved and cooperative than those in the group without music therapy. Because of these findings, they stated that the efficacy of music therapy is that as a complimentary therapy for social functioning and participation in rehabilitation with a trend toward improvement in mood during acute rehabilitation. Although positive changes have been associated with music therapy, there are considerations that should be taken into account, such as the patients physiological and psychological changes. Additionally, there may be mediating factors which affect the success of music therapy for stroke patients. For example, the more impaired an individual’s social behavior was at the outset of treatment, the more like he or she would benefit from the music therapy. Lastly, when music therapy was used in conjunction with traditional therapy, the patient’s rate of recovery improved tremendously, as well as their emotional and social deficits resulting from the stroke.
A Massage is more than pampering…
As a symptom to various diseases, pain is always the initial reason why a patient visits their doctor. Taking OTC (over-thecounter) or prescribed medication is, by far, the most popular way of ceasing pain, but it may have serious side effects ranging from an increased level of toxicity to causing allergies. Not only this, but excessive drug taking and addiction to pain killers are more commonly seen in patients. Ceasing pain by physical means (such as a muscle stimulator) neither does damage to tissues nor leads to functional disorders. Medical practices over the last several thousands of years have proved that massage is a quick and effective way to cease pain and can bring instant relief to some pain symptoms. As more people benefit from therapeutic massage, they are discovering the value of obtaining services from a certified practitioner. According to the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, more than 80,000 nationally certified practitioners serve millions of consumers. More than one in five adults uses massage for pain relief, relaxing, rehabilitation, and general health and wellness, and doctors often
Treating your Sprains & Strains
Ouch! That is what I think of, and many folks feel, when sprains and strains occur. A strain is caused by overstretching a muscle or atendon (which is a cord of tissue that attaches the muscle to the bone). A sprain occurs when ligaments (tissue that connects bone to bone) are stretched and torn.
If/when either of these should happen, always think of and remember RICE is great for healing. No, no, no, not the grain rice, but RICE as in Rest, Ice,Compression, and Elevation. Rest – Try not to put weight on the injured joint for 24 to 48 hours. If you are one of those people who make lousy patients and are blessed with a petrified cranium (hard head) and you must get up, use crutches to support an injured knee, ankle, or foot. If you only want to use one crutch, then place it on the uninjured side to help you lean toward that side.
Ice – Ice causes the blood vessels to constrict, which helps to keep the blood and fluid from building up in the injured area. You should apply ice or cold packs for no more than 20 minutes at a time, 4 to 8 times per day. Experts say the reasoning behind removing the ice pack after 10 to 20 minutes is to safeguard from frostbite.
Compression – Compress the injured area to immobilize it and reduce the swelling. You can use an elastic bandage (Ace® bandage, air casts, splints, and special boots. Your doctor will know which compress is right for your injury.
Elevation – Lastly, raising the injured area above your heart will allow gravity to help reduce the swelling by draining excess fluids. Although you are resting your injury during the day, place a pillow under the injured area to support and raise it. To prevent a sprain or strain you should warm up and stretch before any exercising, since cold and stiff muscles and ligaments injure easier. Also, cool down and stretch afterwards. Using proper sports equipment and techniques (bending at the knees instead of the lower back and wearing a quality shoe for running, walking, etc.) will help save you from pain. Make sure that you avoid exercising while tired or already in pain. Sometimes that adage, “no pain, no gain” is wrong. Some pains mean “you need to go sit down - now,” whereas others mean “you need to go to the gym more often.” Know the difference. If you find yourself in a position that you are unable to bear weight on your injury, you should contact your health care provider immediately. Should you happen to study your injury and notice that it appears twisted or crooked or has an otherwise unusual appearance it’s probably time for you to visit with your doctor. If the area around the injury is numb, very tender to the touch or you can see redness or red streaks around the injury, these are all indications that you have suffered some serious injury, are probably in severe pain, and it will be a treat for you to visit your healthcare provider or your local Emergency Room.
Sound Therapy
Sound therapy? What is sound therapy? Surprisingly, it turns out to be much more than my constant nagging with my son. It turns out that there really is such a thing. Sound therapy is a revolutionary new alternative therapy that is currently being experimented with which uses frequencies to help balance the body.
Everything vibrates In the field of Energy Medicine, it is known that the universe is created through patterns of frequency. Everything that exists in the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual realms does so, on a vibratory basis, which makes sense when you consider that electrons are always moving and vibrating. Although it seems strange when you first hear of “sound therapy”, the effects are seen in our every day lives. Like, when listening to the radio and you hear your favorite song which makes you want to dance along to the music, to learning a song by tapping a beat, and etc. According to research conducted by BioWaves Sound Therapy, all healing interventions must influence the body by somehow altering its frequency resonance. Healing has often been affected by such modalities as sound, light, music therapy and various other energy medicine techniques that alter the frequency patterns of an individual.
History
Sound has been a critical sense for preservation and well being from the time man lived in caves. Man’s ability to sense sound has been helpful in everything from communicating with others to alerting others of danger. The sensation of sound is one of our most primal senses, and is therefore very deeply embedded in the brain. The brains sense of hearing is the first sense to be developed while we are in our mother’s womb, and the last sense to lose in death. (I guess this would explain when my son was finally old enough to talk and for me to understand him, one day he asked me not to sing. While he was in the womb he had heard enough of my singing.) As far back as 600 BC, Pythagorias of Samos was the earliest recorded researcher of sound that scientists have been able to uncover. He was reported to have deer and other animals come out from the forest to listen to him play his dulcimer. Pythagorias is also credited with some of the first experiments in sound research. For more information sound therapy, visit the Biowaves Sound Therapy website.
MassageMouse Rises Above The Competitors... The MassageMouse rises above the competitors without even trying, due to a truly innovative new design in nerve and muscle stimulation. Adopting the international invention patent "Human Bioelectricity Simulation Techonlogy", the instrument simulates traditional Chinese massage (Tui-Na) sensations to offer muscle relaxation to computer users, just like a professional massage therapist! What Makes The MassageMouse Different? Unlike it's competitors, MassageMouse delivers electical stimulation in a constantly changing pulse of electrical stimulation to the body. Just as a professional massage, your body experiences one type of stimulation to the muscles, then it changes to another, and another. In a sense, it feels like a pushing sensation one moment, then it changes to a kneading sensation, and so on. The importance of this, is the fact of that as with the competitor's products, the body is given the same constant stimulation with only the strength of the stimulation level available for adjustment. Your body generally becomes adjusted to the electrical stimulation and requires a stronger signal to maintain the same level of effect.
With MassageMouse, the constant periodic change in the stimulation keeps the body stimulated, thus prolonged relaxation and healing of muscles is the end result. If you prefer a specific type of stimulation style that the MassageMouse provides, you also have the means to keep the stimulation on that specific setting only, without changing to another. Chinese Medicine and Bio-Electricity Stimulation Massage is a very important therapy in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been created and developed by the Chinese for centuries in their fight against muscle tension and soreness. In order to turn this traditional therapy into an easy means of self-treatment, a team of scientists specializing in Acupuncture and Meridian System started a program to develop this the MassageMouse, a bio-electricity simulating massage instrument.
After years of hard work, model JQ-1 (MassageMouse) was completed. This new model embodies a combination of the Traditional Chinese Medicine theories on meridian channels, the advanced theories of physiology and pathology, and the technique of modern electronic simulation. The researchers studied the massage techniques of many of the very best massage specialists in China and developed a number of test analysis results to find the most effective massage techniques. From their analysis, they produced a series of modulated bio-electrical signals through electronic simulation. These signals have characteristics which, when applied to proper parts of human body, could produce an effect similar to that caused by manipulation of a massage specialist. The end result, a product which is literally addictive and contributes to greater health. Some Examples of Recommended Areas... In the image below you will see a variety of examples where you should place the tabs which deliver the electrical stimulus to the body. Each area has it's own special characteristics and benefits by using the MassageMouse on these areas. The bottom line? Better health, greater comfort, and overall comfort
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy also induces relaxation, lowers blood pressure levels, lowers stress hormone levels, and reduces anxiety and depression and pain perception. This makes massage therapy a good choice of treatment for chronic back pain, breaking the vicious cycle of pain producing tension and tension producing or intensifying pain.
There are different methods of massage therapy. Deep tissue massage therapy uses great pressure while kneading and manipulating the deeper muscles and tendons. It is good for treating back pain caused by muscle spasms or chronic muscular tension.
The pain relief provided by massage therapy from loosening of muscles is augmented by the benefits of contact with the skin, which seems to have a great influence on mood and pain perception.
Stress and Back Pain
There is a strong connection between stress and back pain. Stress causes a release of stress hormones. Stress hormones increase the perception of pain.
Stress hormones also cause the muscles to tighten up. The muscles may tense up so much they go into painful spasms. Back and neck muscles are particularly sensitive to the effects of stress.
Muscle tension reduces blood flow to the tissues (reduced oxygen and nutrients to the tissues). Reduced blood flow delays healing. Adequate circulation is also necessary to flush acidic waste products (byproducts of muscular activity) from the tissues. A build up of acidic waste products in the tissues can cause fatigue and pain.
Stress in itself can cause back pain. A person with a 'bad back', e.g. a person who has scar tissue from an old injury or degenerative changes in the spine due to aging, may notice the effects of stress triggering back pain even more than someone with a healthy back. The slightest muscle tension may be 'the straw the broke the camel's back.' For instance, if spinal nerves are already restricted by scar tissue or calcium deposits it may take minimal muscle tension to compress nerves and cause pain. Sciatica may flare up when one is feeling stressed.
Tense back muscles increase back pain and pain increases tensing of muscles - a vicious cycle of stress and back pain can be created.
The back is less capable of tolerating even mild abuse (lifting something slightly heavy, poor posture, a sudden twist, sitting too long, etc) when a person is under stress. Stress causes the muscles to tighten up, leaving them vulnerable to injury.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a mysterious condition that causes pain and stiffness in the soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments) and fatigue, along with many other symptoms The cause is unknown.
Fibromyalgia does not involve inflammation or muscle damage. It cannot be diagnosed with a blood test or x-ray. (Blood tests may be taken to rule out other conditions) Diagnosis is based upon the symptoms.
Many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia are seen in other disorders such as clinical depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, low thyroid function, etc. The most distinctive symptom of fibromyalgia is the presence of tender points, which are specific spots on the body that are painful when pressure is applied.
Treatments While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, there are many ways to relieve the symptoms.
Managing Stress: When one is in pain or under any stress, muscles contract, which causes more pain. The muscles in the back and neck are especially sensitive to stress. Stress hormones that are released when one is under stress increase the perception of pain and may trigger depression, which is common with fibromyalgia
Sciatica
*If you are experiencing back pain, see a doctor who can determine the cause. If the pain spreads down your leg or is accompanied by tingling, numbness or weakness, see a doctor immediately. Occasionally, sciatica may be caused by a serious condition that requires immediate surgery.
Sciatica refers to pain along the path of the sciatica nerve. It is usually caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve. Fortunately, most cases of sciatica are not serious and usually resolve within six weeks.
The sciatic nerve branches off nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal cord – it’s two branches run from the lower back through the each side of the pelvis, buttocks, back of leg to the foot. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body and its diameter is the diameter of a finger.
Causes of Sciatica Sciatica is caused by inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve or nerve roots in the lower spine. It may also be caused by damage to nerve roots. Sciatica is not a disease in itself and its causes are various.
*Compression of a nerve is often referred to as a "pinched nerve." A "pinched nerve" in the lower spine causes sciatica.
The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc in the lumbar spine (lower back) that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve or a nerve root. A herniated disc can occur suddenly and cause acute pain or it may develop gradually.
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces in the spinal column that causes compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots. It can cause sciatica if it occurs in the lower back.
In advanced osteoarthritis of the spine, bits of cartilage may break off and float around inside the spinal joints. This causes irritation and inflammation and if it occurs in the lower back may put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Spondylolisthesis – when one vertebra slips over another – occurs most often in the lower back – where the misaligned vertebrae may place pressure on the sciatic nerve.
A less common cause of sciatica is Piriformis syndrome, a disorder in which a muscle located in the buttocks (the piriformis muscle) contracts and irritates the sciatic nerve. In this case, the pain starts in the buttocks and radiates down the leg. Piriformis syndrome is generally treated with stretching exercises, massage, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Something as simple as muscle strain can cause inflammation, which may put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Stretching exercises are usually recommended to relieve sciatica. Stretching exercises loosen tight muscles and increase spaces between the vertebrae, allowing more room for the spinal nerves. Stretching muscles in the back and buttocks and even the hamstrings (muscles in the back of the thigh) can relieve sciatica. Keeping the back muscles strong and flexible reduces the risk of a herniated disc , the most common cause of sciatica. Low impact aerobics increase circulation and promote healing. Walking, swimming, and riding a stationary bike are good low-impact aerobic exercises. Strengthening the muscles that support the spine (back and abdominal muscles) help maintain proper posture, which takes stress off the spinal joints. Strengthening exercises may cause the muscles to tighten up so stretching exercises are important. Stretching exercises that increase the spaces between the vertebrae and create more room for the discs may relieve pressure on nerves. Exercise can help prevent or slow down age-related degenerative changes in the spine and can help prevent sciatica from recurring.
TENS: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. (Transcutaneous means through the skin)
What is TENS?
Low voltage electric impulses are transmitted through the skin to the nerves to provide stimulation to sensory nerve endings. TENS is used for pain relief. TENS is believed to reduce the sensitivity of the nerves or block the transmission of pain signals to the brain. TENS may also stimulate the release of endorphins (natural pain-relieving chemicals).
Electrodes are placed on the skin at the site of the pain. Low-voltage electrical impulses pass through the skin to the nerves, stimulating the nerves.
TENS is used to treat pain caused by a variety of conditions. It is used to treat acute or chronic pain, sometimes for acute post-surgical pain. Lower back pain and pain from arthritis may be the most common reasons for using TENS.
Portable TENS Units: A TENS unit small enough to attach to a belt and can be worn all day. It is battery powered. It can be turned on and off. There is usually a continuous mode, burst mode and timer. There are two electrodes, or four electrodes in units with two channels. Some people use the unit for brief sessions only, as the pain relief sometimes last for hours
The Subluxation Theory
Chiropractic is based on the theory that if the spinal column is properly aligned, nerve impulses can freely flow along the spinal cord. If the spinal column is out of alignment (a subluxation), the flow of nerve impulses is interrupted and disease (not just back pain) result. This is called the subluxation theory. According to the subluxation theory, disorders in any area of the body can result from subluxations in the spine as the nervous system carries messages to all areas of the body. Restoring the vertebrae to proper alignment restores proper functioning of the nervous system, helping the body to heal itself.
There is presently a lack of scientific evidence that chiropractic can cure disease or restore health in general or that minor misalignments in the spine affect the spinal nerves and interrupt the nervous system. Some doctors say that for spinal nerves that exit the spine to be obstructed, the spine would have to be so out of alignment that the person would be disabled. There is evidence, however, that chiropractic treatment is an effective treatment for neuromusculoskeletal disorders.
Chiropractors that subscribe to the subluxation theory use spinal manipulation to treat a variety of conditions such as allergies, asthma, digestive problems, etc. The subluxation theory is a controversial subject between chiropractors and medical doctors and even between chiropractors themselves.
Chiropractic subluxation and orthopedic subluxation are not the same. From chiropractic perspective, subluxation or vertebral subluxation describes a very slight misalignment of one or more vertebrae. A chiropractic subluxation is usually so minor it is difficult, if not impossible to identify on an x-ray.
An orthopedic subluxation is a partial dislocation of a bone in a joint causing pain and limiting range of motion.
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