Tag: inflammatory pain

By PSI 0 Comments Medication, Physical Therapy ,

You are too powerful for pills – Neuroscience Nugget No. 4

Neuro Orthopaedic Institute (NOI) Australasia has been in operation for over 20 years, founded by David Butler, with highly qualified instructors teaching multidisciplinary audiences on all continents. NOI Neuroscience Nuggets written by David Butler and NOI faculty.

“You are too powerful for pills”

The successes of medication for inflammatory pain do not translate over to chronic pain, especially pain where there is no intervening disease. Ten people with chronic pain may have to take medication before one gets any significant effect. This lack of response is increasingly understood as immunological. Activated glial cells in the brain disrupt opioid efficacy thus contributing to opioid tolerance and dependence. Essentially the patient has to take higher and higher doses for efficacy, thus risking side effects. The work of Linda Watkins and Mark Hutchinson are worthwhile reading.

Framed another way – if a person’s brain constructs that there are enough dangers and threats within themselves and society, worthwhile of increasing sensitivity,  then a defense  against synthetic medication may be mounted. In a biopsychosocial framework, maybe the medications would work better if other drivers of increased sensitivity were dealt with or maybe the medications may not even be needed.

This nugget can turn a clinical negative (medication failure) into a positive outlook

For more NOI Neuroscience Nuggets and information from David Butler go to NOIjam at www.noigroup.com

Neuro Orthopaedic Institute (NOI) Australasia organizes over 100 seminars a year throughout the world; NOI’s faculty members are active in many conferences, university programs and other postgraduate education sessions. The company reinvests in education and clinically based research and Noigroup Publications has grown from the demand for resources to support this emerging research.

 

“Neuroscience nuggets”

Neuroscience nuggets are information nuggets – pieces of biological information based on statement or metaphor that can be used as educational analgesia, explicit education or part of overall story telling. We have collected over 100 of these for a book and will release one or two a week with a short description and references if appropriate.

Explain Pain 2nd Ed, the Graded Motor Imagery Handbook and all noigroup courses are all bursting at the seams with the latest and greatest neuroscience nuggets. 

By PSI Physical Therapy , ,

What is good posture?

Good posture will do more to keep you looking youthful as the years go by than a face-lift or Botox. And the benefits of maintaining your bone health are much more than skin-deep. Posture is the position in which you hold your body upright against gravity while standing, sitting or lying down. Good posture involves training your body to stand, walk, sit and lie in positions where the least strain is placed on supporting joint, muscles and ligaments during movement or weight-bearing activities.

Proper posture:

  • Keeps bones and joints in the correct alignment so that muscles are being used properly.
  • Helps decrease the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces that could result in arthritis.
  • Decreases the stress on the ligaments holding the joints of the spine together.
  • Prevents the spine from becoming fixed in abnormal positions.
  • Prevents fatigue because muscles are being used more efficiently, allowing the body to use less energy.
  • Prevents strain or overuse problems.
  • Prevents backache and muscular pain.
  • Contributes to a good appearance.

Why is good posture important?

When it comes to posture, your mother did know best. Her reminders to stand up straight and stop slouching were good advice.

Your spine is strong and stable when you maintain a healthy posture. But when you stoop or slouch, your muscles and ligaments struggle to keep you balanced — which can lead to back pain, headaches and other problems.

Top 5 reasons when to see a physical therapist to improve your posture?

  • If you complain of a constant burning or aching feeling in your upper trapezius muscles (muscles that connect your shoulder blades to your neck & head) that persist or worsen daily for greater than 3 weeks
  • If you sit at work for greater than 6 hours per day and complain of intermittent neck or back pain
  • If washing and dressing increases your low back pain and you find it necessary to change the way you do it
  • If you feel fatigued or tired daily around 3 – 5pm
  • If you have to work to maintain a good posture. Posture is something you should be able to reset and fall into, not rigidly hold.

Take the wall test

This test will asses if your low back is in neutral or not and provide feedback for you to correct it. To test your standing posture, take the wall test. Stand with your head, shoulder blades and buttocks touching a wall, and have your heels about 2 to 4 inches (about 5 to 10 centimeters) away from the wall. Reach back and slide your hand behind the curve in your lower back, with your palm flat against the wall.

Ideally, you’ll feel about one hand’s thickness of space between your back and the wall. If there’s too much space, tighten your abdominal muscles to flatten the curve in your back. If there’s too little space, arch your back so that your hand fits comfortably behind you. Walk away from the wall while maintaining this posture. Keep it up throughout your daily activities.

Good sitting posture

When seated, keep these tips in mind:

  • Choose a chair that allows you to rest both feet flat on the floor while keeping your hips at the level of your knees or ideally higher than your knees.
  • Sit back in your chair. If the chair doesn’t support your lower back’s curve, place a rolled towel or small pillow behind your lower back.
  • Stretch the top of your head toward the ceiling, and tuck your chin in slightly.
  • Keep your upper back and neck comfortably straight.
  • Keep your shoulders relaxed — not elevated, rounded or pulled backward.
We talked with Dr. Kevin Dunn on Paradigm Shifts and Wellness and Sport on Posture not just being all about your chair and According to Dr. Dunn “The primary attribute of the body to maintain good posture is strength. Range of motion and strength go hand in hand. ” said Kevin Dunn, MPT, MATcs.