Pain, pain go away – and don’t come back another day …
Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. It’s often caused by swelling of tissue, which creates pressure on nerves and leads to discomfort. Pain is a useful mechanism to alert you to a problem, and stops you from damaging your body further. It should therefore always be taken seriously.
Pain can affect many areas of the body, but particularly the lower back, head, neck, joints and legs. It can result from injuries and arthritis, and can also manifest itself in forms such as headache or period pain. Before trying any pain relief approach, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Some therapies may not be safe or appropriate for you, even if they are of the non-pharmaceutical kind. Various factors need to be considered before undergoing treatment, including your medical condition and history.
The keystone to any treatment is a diagnosis, a logical conclusion based on information obtained from the chief complaint, the patient’s history and the physical examination. Every attempt should be made to diagnose the precise anatomical and pathological cause of the presenting problem.
"Each illness has its cause, and the cause cannot be removed by any medication."- Hippocrates
Pain Relief With Osteopathy and Chiropractic Treatments
Chiropractors and Osteopaths are both medical professionals who treat patients with a focus on the musculoskeletal system.
One of the main purposes of osteopathy is pain relief. Osteopathy helps people of all ages who suffer from pain, tackling complaints ranging from sports and work-related injuries to arthritis and sciatica. The Osteopath’s role is to alleviate pain and improve the patient’s mobility in order to make life more comfortable.
Unfortunately these modalities are used in isolation and do not address the problem at multiple levels. Therapy that is centered around only one system simply doesn't work.
The body functions as a unit. When we get injured the central nervous system may be affected, the joints will develop subluxation, the muscles will be in spasm, connective tissue and fascia become tight, the inflammatory process sets in, even internal organs can be affected. Every cell in our body works synergistically together to maintain homeostasis. When one system is disturbed the other cannot function properly.
At Osteoklinika our method of Bio-Structural Integration™ addresses the dysfunction at every level. Within one treatment we use Cranial Osteopathy (Cranio-Sacral) to release central nervous system lesions.
After that we use Osteopathic Structural Adjustments to correct the joints, followed by Myofascial Release of connective tissue. Neuromuscular Massage is implemented to reduce muscular tension, and electrotherapy helps to interrupt the pain cycle. All of the above is done within a 1 hour treatment. After the structure is realigned I may recommend BioFlex Low Intensity Laser Therapy to deal with the inflammatory process. Healing is then stimulated at the cellular level. This session may take 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the condition being treated.
After the pain is reduced and structure realigned, our patients may have a one-on-one session with a Certified Yoga Teacher to show them proper Rehab Yoga exercises to stretch and strengthen the injured area. One month free membership is provided to each patient by Osteoklinika in one of the Hot Yoga Wellness locations, depending on your choice.
Pain Relief With Stress Management
If it is not possible to change the source of tension, try distracting yourself with enjoyable activities such as spending time with friends, watching a movie or listening to music. Participating in something pleasurable may shift focus away from pain.
Another strategy is to unwind. Relaxation techniques include deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, visualisation and tai chi. These practices have been proven to be effective.
Pain Relief With Exercise
Many people in pain avoid exercise because movement hurts too much. Yet inactivity may actually worsen the condition. The human body was designed to be in motion no matter what state of health it’s in. If you let your body become inactive, you will allow it to degenerate.
‘Nothing causes as much damage to our body as long physical inactivity’ - Aristotle
Muscle degeneration can lead to other problems such as diminishing bone density, depression and a weakened heart. In contrast, regular exercise will help keep joints flexible and strong, and better able to deal with arthritic pain. Plus, physical activity promotes the release of mood-enhancing chemicals in the body that can help diminish the perception of pain.
To decrease pain and prevent further injury, it is important to apply appropriate effort in proper form. Not all exercises are right for everyone. If one type of exercise does not work for you, there are always other options. Before starting a fitness programme, consult with your doctor and physical therapist.
Pain Relief With Proper Diet
Losing weight can help reduce the risk of pain. If you’re overweight and de-conditioned, your joints take increased mechanical strain because of the increased kilos your joints have to carry.Follow a healthy, balanced diet. Try to eat organically produced foods and avoid processed foods, wheat, milk and soy. If your diet is too acidic it is likely to increase your pain, so consult a nutritionist to find out how you can balance your body’s Ph levels through diet.
Live a Healthy Life
The best strategy for pain relief involves appropriate physical therapy, good posture, appropriate exercise, eating properly, getting enough sleep, and managing stress. Our program of rehabilitation is around 5 weeks long and provides more than 90% of success in bringing back a pain free life. If you have tried every possible known therapy and still have pain, you shouldn't give up!
Do you want to be pain free?
For more information, Andrew Subieta and the clinic staff can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810. Also, please check our website www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™.
