Large breasts can be a source of considerable pain. Some women, in fact, suffer with severe pain, deteriorating posture, and are at risk for spinal deformity and other repetitive stress injuries to the shoulders and upper extremities due to their large breasts.

These problems result from changes in the normal anatomical structure caused by the excess weight on the chest and weak muscular support. Another fact related to this condition is that some women even feel ashamed and actually try to hide them buy altering their posture by allowing their shoulders to roll forward. This abnormal posture will possibly put pressure on an area of the upper body near the shoulder called the “thoracic outlet.” When this occurs, a bundle of nerves and blood vessels can become compressed and cause pain and discomfort down the upper extremities. Read the rest »

It’s getting to be so bad that by Monday afternoon, you’re already tired of being at the office. You’re not even thinking as far ahead as Friday. Just getting to hump day is going to be challenge enough.

In reality, it’s not the folks you work with who are getting you down—they’re tolerable, mostly. It’s not even your boss, who, if he knew even half as much as you do, would be a shoo-in for Executive of the Year.

No, the biggest pain in your neck is actually located a bit lower. And it’s really what’s making working where you do seem a lot worse than it actually is.

Face it. It’s your aching back that’s sucking the joy out of your 9-to-5 existence and making you feel 10 years older to boot.

Sure, you’ve learned to tolerate the bad coffee, pointless meetings and lame jokes in the course of your day. But you just can’t tough it out when it comes to back pain, which can range from dull, nagging aches to those unexpected twinges that feel like you’ve been hit with a taser gun. Read the rest »

When you spend enough time working with people who are in pain, you hear it all: anger, fear, hope—but mostly frustration. Whether you are going through a treatment program for your back pain with a chiropractor or physical therapist, or trying your own exercise program (Yoga, Pilates, pumping iron at the gym, etc.), if you’re not getting relief, let me share with you a widely known “secret.”

Knowledge Is Power
Our mission is to inspire you through education. We know that people who understand their situation and their condition get better care and faster results, regardless of the type of treatment they are going through. The reason is simple: They have more control. Read the rest »

We’ve all heard about the 80/20 Rule—the idea that 80 percent of your gain will come from 20 percent of your effort. The 80/20 rule can be applied to most anything in our lives. But have you ever considered how this rule might apply to your health?

I will use wealth as an example because everyone can relate to having it or not having it, which is the underlying premise of the 80/20 Rule. If someone starts a business and hires people to make widgets, a handful of worker bees do most of the work and the owner gets most of the money (it’s not fair, but this process is repeated over again and again throughout the world). Read the rest »

Ah…a good night’s sleep. We all want to get in the recommended 7-8 hours, yet according to the National Sleep Foundation, almost one-third of Americans sleep 6.5 hours or less each night. So, not only are we walking around in a bad mood, eyes half open, giant cup of Joe in hand, but now research shows that we are actually putting our heart at risk!

Research by Dr. Alexandros Vgontzas, professor of psychiatry at The Pennsylvania State University in Hershey reveals that even modest sleep deprivation may be associated with low-grade inflammation, which can lead to a number of cardiovascular problems.

Vgontzas and his team of researchers deprived 25 men and women just two hours of sleep per night over a six-week period. They measured blood levels for immune-system molecules called cytokines, which are normally secreted during inflammation and infection. Both men and women in the study had increased concentrations of cytokines, which confirms lack of sleep may stimulate an increase in chronic inflammation. Read the rest »

While this article is aimed at those who suffer froom back pain and those close to them, much of what I’m going to tell you can be useful in all aspects of your life and for any difficult situation you may face.

When dealing with serious back pain, you have to realize that your condition is going to have an impact on everyone around you and that it will be toughest on the one you love.

I got an e-mail this morning and could not stand to go another day without telling you my thoughts. Believe me, this question is not unique. Please read the following e-mail, and then I’ll give you my response:

Steve,
My husband recently had a severe flare-up caused by a herniated disc. He’s had it for five years. Now it’s in both sides of his body, from his back to his toes. He is using a scooter to get around. He cannot walk and is hunched over at the waist with severe pain. He is currently taking three meds: Motrin, Vicodin and Flexeril. They help very little! He has been seen by his doctor, and he will have an MRI plus physical therapy. Can you help him?

What this poor lady must be going through. Read the rest »

Back pain is pervasive throughout the adult population. It is one of the most common reasons to visit a doctor. Young children are suffering from back pain much earlier than previously reported, and the use of overweight backpacks is a major contributing factor. In addition to overloaded backpacks, improper wearing of them may predispose a child to various health problems. Back pain usually results from repetitive loading as well as improper mechanics, not to mention kids are getting weaker and less physically active, leading to the child’s inability to handle the load of the backpack.

Does your child complain or exhibit the following signs and symptoms? Read the rest »