Chronic Pain the Crippler

Chronic pain. A common debilitator among men and women across the nation and studies suggest over the next few decades, percentages may reach epidemic proportions.

Enter Low Level Laser Therapy treatment, which has shown to help with tissue repair and aid in pain relief. Research is well under way with clinical trials correlating LLLT's role in reducing inflammation, nerve conduction of painful stimuli, and muscle fatigue. In fact, a recent article was published regarding the treatment of neck pain with LLLT. The results below seem promising, though perhaps, not as long lasting as most chronic sufferers would like.

"LLLT reduced pain immediately following treatment in acute neck pain and up to 22 weeks after completion of treatment in patients with chronic neck pain."

The good news is that LLLT doesn't stop there, it's light reaches a bit further still. Not only does laser therapy benefit those with neck discomfort, it also helps with patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, tendinopathy, and joint disorders. Benefits for those with low back pain are still materializing, along with the placement of laser over nerves vs. joints for greatest effect.

Imagine. Laser therapy helping to blind the cancer from seeing its way through the body of a patient, making them more functional and independent in everyday activities the rest of us take for granted.

It could happen.

New Moms on the Block Beat the Baby Blues

Here's an interesting fact...
If you were to enter the world wide web interstate, take the Google exit and then turn onto 'Postnatal' Street in your search bar, you would find the first address listed is Postnatal Depression.

Also known as postpartum depression, this clinical illness has shown to affect anywhere from 5 to 25% of mothers in the world. Quite a range, right? Well, for some odd reason, prevalence rates are more prevalently unclear and inconsistent than anything. Go figure.

Interestingly enough, men are not exempt from experiencing depression following a childbirth in the family. Granted, the percentage of male population is significantly lower when juxtaposed with the female population, but it's still comforting to know we have some 'feelings' in common. Most men are forced to resort to GPS signals when it comes to understanding women and their constant companion of 'emotion'. Likewise, women need a roadmap to read men too, especially for those in search of their male counterpart's 'emotions', which most likely, are hidden in the garage.
I have a few friends on the brink of motherhood and others who have already passed the border into Babyland, so I've been thinking about the changes they're facing both mentally and physically. New moms have an added stressor of the unknown coupled with the inundation of information to peruse on perfecting motherhood. I thought maybe they'd appreciate a watered down version of material. Factual material.
Parents are most susceptible to suffer depression during the first few months following delivery. For those who enjoy self-diagnosis, here are some possible symptoms to look for:

• Sadness


• Fatigue


• Insomnia


• Anxiety


• Appetite Changes


• Reduced libido

Does that list seem daunting to you? Well, be encouraged by a study recently performed at the University of Melbourne, which included just over 160 postnatal participants who were divided into two groups. The first set of participants were given a specialized exercise program to follow under the guidance of a physiotherapist, in addition to parenting education; whereas the second cluster was given solely written education material. Yawn.

After a period of 8 weeks, re-assessment of psychological well-being, depressive sx, and physical activity in the first group demonstrated notable improvements when compared to the second group. The positive benefits lasted at least 4 weeks following clinical trial in primary group and "The number of women identified as 'at risk' for postnatal depression pre-intervention was reduced by 50% in the Mother and Baby group by the end of the intervention."

A great website to check out for more information is http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/

Open House at a Glance...

Our 'Open House' here at Back to Basics welcomed a delightful assortment of women from every age and stage in life across our threshold!

Simply put, the outcome was unparalleled.

Thank you all, patients and friends for coming out to visit. I've heard the food, the chair massage, the pedicures and manicures were all exceptionally well done! What a wonderful way to celebrate the joy of having or being a mother. Moms have played their hand as the role of a therapist to each of us and bandaged our emotional, social, and physical needs. From scraped knees to school bullies, mom's have donned their capes time and time again to act as our 'super' heroes.

So, to every lady behind the mask, I salute you. Not only for your sacrificial love, but your loyalty and fierce devotion. You truly are a credit to your race.