Pains: Proven Tips, Advice, Articles, Links

Do You Suffer from Back Pain? Neck Pain? Sciatica?

Jerry Tarman suffered from chronic back pain and sciatica for over 50 years -- until he read the Healthy Back Institutes's Back Pain Relief Guide. Within just days he was feeling better.

If you suffer from any type of back pain, neck pain or sciatica, you'll want to get a copy of this guide right away. It's completely free and you can get instant access to it online by clicking here

Over half a million people have used the information and strategies in this free guide to eliminate their pain and regain control of their lives. Now it's your turn.  CLICK HERE

Wishing you optimal health,

Vinicent Holland

What Are Systemic Proteolytic Enzymes and How Can You
Benefit from Them?

By Steven Hefferon, CMT, PTA, CPRS


Proteolytic enzymes, also referred to as "proteases," are
enzymes that break down proteins into their smallest elements.
If this breakdown of proteins happens in your gut, we call the
enzymes "digestive," because they help us digest our food.
Systemic proteolytic enzymes, however, have a completely
different purpose, so please don't confuse the two.

When taken on an empty stomach, proteolytic enzymes will pass
through the stomach or intestine lining and enter the
circulatory system. This is why they are called "systemic" -
once they enter the circulatory system, they circulate
throughout the body.

Why are systemic proteolytic enzymes important?

The most important thing that systemic proteolytic enzymes do
is to break down excess fibrin in your circulatory system and
in other connective tissue, such as your muscles. These enzymes
bring nutrients and oxygen-rich blood that remove the metabolic
waste produced by inflammation and excess fibrin.

For example, If you have an injury or are recovering from a
painful condition of any kind and your blood flow is restricted,
you will have a longer recovery process. In addition, the
exchange of nutrients and oxygen in your body will be limited,
and there will be not only a longer recovery but an increase in
pain and inflammation.

One more important thing to understand: Whenever you're recovering
from a muscle irritation, injury, or surgery, the body uses fibrin
to help heal itself. This is normal and healthy. The only problem
is that with poor blood flow and a lack of enzyme activity, that
fibrin will start to accumulate. If the area in question is slow
to heal, an excess of fibrin will appear as clumps of scar tissue
in the muscle or at the surgical site. Once this happens, you
acute condition becomes chronic.

Now that you know that excess fibrin throughout your circulatory
system will severely limit the amount of blood flow to areas that
need it the most, you may be wondering how the body tries to
compensate for this restriction. The answer is simple: by forcing
the heart to work harder and increasing your blood pressure.

 

 

How do you know if you have too much fibrin?

As I have noted, the body will do what it needs to do to keep us
alive - sometimes at great cost to your overall health. Some
possible indicators of excess fibrin in your system include:
chronic fatigue, slow healing, inflammation and pain, and
elevated blood pressure. There is also a medical test to measure
something called "blood monomers."

The dangers of too much fibrin...

The medical community has long known that excess fibrin presents
a cardiac and stroke risk. Finally, they have acknowledged a
link between excess fibrin and chronic systemic inflammation,
the true root cause of virtually every disease and painful
condition know to man.

Which conditions do proteolytic enzymes help and how?

The list below is only a sample of the types of conditions that
can be addressed with systemic proteolytic enzymes. If you are
still wondering how one little substance can support all of
these conditions, remember that they all have one thing in common
- excess fibrin, which causes a reduction in blood flow.

Arthritis
Atherosclerosis
Back Pain
Chronic Fatigue
Chronic Pain
Fibrocystic Breast
Fibromyalgia
High Blood Pressure

Herniated Disc
Hyper-coagulation
Sciatica
Spinal Stenosis
Strains and Sprains
Post-operative Scar Tissue
Traumatic Inflammation
Uterine Fibroids




Which would you rather take - a pain killer or a healing enzyme?

Truth is, very few pain killers help heal the body, and in most
cases the side effects are rather unpleasant. On the other hand,
systemic proteolytic enzymes support the body's ability to heal
itself, and they reduce the signs and symptoms of a chronic
condition.

Can proteolytic enzymes be used with other pain meds?

I knew you were going to ask. Yes, enzymes can used if you are
taking low-dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
as long as they are taken 60 minutes apart.

How about clinical research?

Where is the proof? There are untold numbers of clinical studies
that have been done on proteolytic enzymes, and we have 76 of the
most relevant studies listed on our site. Let's not forget that
these enzymes have been in use in Europe for more than 50 years.
And in Japan, some proteolytic enzymes are classified as
prescription drugs.

Where do proteolytic enzymes come form?

Some are animal-bases, some are plant-based - such as Bromelain
and Papain - and some are fungus-based, such as Serrazimes®.



Which types are best and why?

I recommend plant- and fungus-based enzymes because they tolerate
the gastric environment better, so more of the enzymes make their
way into the circulatory system.

How long does it take to start to work?

Enzymes go to work immediately. The big difference between enzymes
and vitamins is the way they are measured. Enzymes are not measured
by weight; they are measured in Units of Fibrolytic Activity, which
means how much fibrin they break down in a set amount of time.

The questions you really want answered are: "How long will it take to
get pain relief and reduce my inflammation?" and "How fast will my
healing happen?" Truth is, there is no simple answer because the
healing process and outcome will be different for everyone.

There are a number of factors that bear on how fast the enzymes will
work for you, including dosage, quality of sleep, diet, and physical
activity. Even the very treatments you are undergoing to try to get
better could be holding you back.

Are proteolytic enzymes safe for continued use?

Yes, proteolytic enzymes should be considered safe for continued use.
There are three suggested usage protocols: one is a rotation of 12
weeks on and 4 weeks off; two is to take them continuously; and three
is to take them on as-needed basis.

Who should not take proteolytic enzymes?

1. Individuals taking prescription blood thinners (Coumadin, Heparin,
   Plavix)
2. Anyone who will be having surgery in less than two weeks
3. Individuals with known ulcers of the stomach
4. Individuals with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.(GERD)
5. Pregnant or lactating women
6. Individuals currently taking antibiotics
7. Individuals with an allergic reaction to pineapples or papayas

Are there any side effects?

Proteolytic enzymes have an excellent safety record, with no significant
side effects reported. With any supplement, however, there is always the
risk of developing an allergy to one or more ingredients. If this
happens, you should discontinue use.

Choosing to try systemic proteolytic enzymes.

Remember, the enzymes are supporting the healing process, so recovery
from any condition is going to take time. You don't just take the
enzymes and expect to get better immediately. By using these enzymes as
part of a well-planned recovery process, you're making a commitment to
doing what it takes to make improvements in your life.

Everything I've told you so far I learned from people who are far more
knowledgeable than I am about the role enzymes play in helping us
achieve optimal health.

So, when I say that I had a hand in creating Lifezyme - albeit a small
hand - I nevertheless did my part, which was to find the world's best
enzyme formulators. Once I had done that, I told them to make me the
best product in the world - and that's exactly what they did.

Without question, the Lifezyme Plus formula has the highest fibrolytic
activity of any product in the world per dose. Our formulators blended
11 ingredients that would have a cascading effect, which means that
they help support the work of the enzymes and deliver even more
beneficial results.



I'm not a big fan of taking a lot of supplements. I drink my
multivitamin and pop my enzymes - that's it. I know that trying to
figure out which supplements to take can be overwhelming and that
taking supplements can get expensive. Still, I look at supplements as a
long-term investment toward achieving optimal health.

So, if working toward optimal health is your goal and you think that
your life and your body would benefit form having less fibrin and better
blood flow, then you should seriously consider enzymes.

If you do decide to try enzymes, do me one favor: Never - ever - buy an
enzyme that lists the dose in milligrams (mg) or has "Proprietary Enzyme
Blend" on the label.

Enzymes are not measured in mg and should not be sold in mg.
"Proprietary Enzyme Blend" is a shady way of not telling you the
consumer how much enzyme is in the product, so don't support a company
that cannot be honest with you. Demand full disclosure on the label.

Reduce Inflammation and Pain Fast... And Without Harmful and Addictive
Drugs!

You don't have to rely on dangerous medications... there is a safer
alternative and it's called Lifezyme Plus and it's THE world's strongest,
all-natural pain and inflammation reducing formula. And unlike
medications which mask the pain, this powerful formula reduces inflammation
in part by replacing enzymes that the body loses as we age.

Click here to learn more about how Lifezyme Plus can help you get your
life back!  https://gethealthy.infusionsoft.com/go/8.30-PN-Tel-Sem/vinhol/

***These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or
prevent any disease.***

Eliminate Back Pain Quickly Without Harmful Medications or Dangerous Surgery

5 simple steps for ridding yourself of back pain

Millions of people suffer from back pain unnecessarily when there is actually a very simple solution, according to Jesse Cannone , certified personal trainer and back pain specialist.  "Unfortunately, many people are led to believe that back pain is normal and were all supposed to experience it... well, thankfully, that’s not the case. Eliminating back pain is not nearly as difficult as most people think or are led to believe... it can actually be easy!" says Cannone. 

Here’s the simple system that MUST be followed if you are looking for real, long-term, lasting relief:

1. Identify the cause – nearly all of the treatments people receive for back pain only focus on the symptoms and the health care professionals zoom in on only the problem area. The real key in eliminating back pain is to find out exactly what’s causing the problem... and most of the time it’s not even the back!

2. Address both the cause and the symptom – the best approach is a combination of treating the symptoms for pain relief while also addressing the underlying cause.

3. Be aware – many people suffering from back pain are not in tune with their bodies and during their treatment they do not realize what is working and what is not. In order to achieve long-term relief you have to understand how your body works, what’s causing the problem, and what changes have to be made to correct it.

4. Consistent Focused Action - achieving success in anything requires consistency and focused action. Most people with back pain won't make the time to work on their problem each day... instead they take pain killers which mask the pain and allow them to cause more damage while they continue with their life.

5. Don't do what doesn't work - we already know that most traditional treatments for back pain don't work.... why waste your time, energy, and money? The real key to eliminating back pain is to identify the true cause of the pain and then address it with a combination of treatments to treat both the cause and symptoms. Over 80% of all back pain is caused by muscle imbalances... NOT a lack of pain killers or surgery! Find out what's going on in your body and take action.

Because the rest of the ar ticle contains graphics and other images, we can't post it all here.  To see the rest of this great article, please visit   https://gethealthy.infusionsoft.com/go/8.30-PN-Tel-Sem/vinhol/.  There, you will find the conclusion of this article as well as many others that may help you get rid of your back pain forever.

Pregnancy and Lower Back Pain: The Hidden Cause

By Dr. Tomas Sullivan
of losethebackpain.com

The decisions of picking a name… The anticipation and excitement…
Painting the new room… Clothing, diapers and family celebrations. The
joy of a pregnancy is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Unfortunately
however, for many women the later months of pregnancy can prove to be
quite challenging. One common problem many women face is lower back
pain.

Lower back pain can be a horrible interruption in day-to-day
activities for a pregnant woman. More importantly, it interferes with
their quality of life, not to mention the enjoyment of one of the most
 memorable times of their life.

The obvious cause of lower back pain is the biomechanical stress being
placed on the mother by the added weight of baby. As the baby gains
weight the mother is pulled forward. In order to compensate for this
forward pull, the mother has to lean her upper body backward. This puts
a tremendous amount of pressure on the low back and pelvis.

This explanation of low back pain sounds complete. It is a true
explanation but is only a small part the problem. The “hidden” cause of
lower back pain is actually muscle imbalances. In fact muscle imbalances
are a common cause of lower back pain in pregnancy but it is also
responsible for back pain in a majority of the population.

The strength and tone of the muscular system is an extremely important
factor when assessing a patient with lower back pain. Unfortunately,
muscle imbalances are not addressed properly by most health
practitioners… but just because they are not trained in identifying and
addressing muscle imbalances, it doesn’t mean you have to continue to
suffer…

But before I share with you the solution to this problem, let me first
explain in more detail what a muscle imbalance is and how it causes back
pain and sciatica…

In a nutshell, muscle imbalances work like this. Muscles work together
with opposing muscles to allow movement at joints. One muscle stretches
while the other shortens. Each side should be of equal tone and strength.
When a pregnant woman walks, moves, bends, twists or sleeps she will
typically do so in an unbalanced and awkward manner to accommodate for
her increased weight. In addition, various everyday activities and
positions we put our body in create imbalances in the muscle groups and
during pregnancy it only worsens…

Muscle imbalances then pull the pelvis and low back out of alignment and
this places uneven and excessive stress on the muscles, bones and joints.

The spine is comprised of 24 moveable bones with a shock-absorbing disc
in between each bone. This spinal column rests on three large bones called
the pelvic girdle. When this spinal column is in proper alignment it will
carry a majority of the weight and stress being placed on the body. When
one or more of these 24 bones misaligns, especially the pelvis, the
muscles work overtime so to speak. They now have to carry the weight that
the spinal column is supposed to handle. At this point the muscles are
unbalanced and are very prone to an injury. Lower back pain is the most
common expression of this problem.

If the above scenario takes place then the stage has been set for lower
back pain and dysfunction. Not only does the soon to be Mom have to deal
with safely carrying the baby, she has to now do it with a painful lower
back. Let’s face it, the soon to be Mom is going to be in pain and she is
not going to enjoy her most cherished time in life.

The Solution

The solution is based on a better understanding of muscle imbalances and
how your body works… The first thing you have to do is fully understand
what muscle imbalances are, how they are created and how they cause back
pain and sciatica…

Once you understand muscle imbalances the next step is to identify the ones
you have and understand how they are creating your pain… after you have
identified the imbalances is when you can then begin addressing them with
the right combination of corrective exercises, stretches and treatments…

Unfortunately, there are very few healthcare professionals that are trained
and experienced in addressing muscle imbalances… the good news is you can
find out what imbalances you have on your own by performing simple self
assessments or tests. You can learn more about how to identify and address
your muscle imbalances by visiting  https://gethealthy.infusionsoft.com/go/8.30-PN-Tel-Sem/vinhol/

For more information on how to treat all forms of Back Pain read the latest
Back Pain Advisory from The Healthy Back Institute. Visit
 https://gethealthy.infusionsoft.com/go/8.30-PN-Tel-Sem/vinhol/ to sign up for your free back pain e-mail educational
course.

Dr. Thomas Sullivan, got his undergraduate degree from The Johns Hopkins
University in 1993 and received his Decorate of Chiropractic in 1997 from
Life College of Chiropractic, he is a Certified Active Release Practitioner
and Director of Sullivan Chiropractic and Muscle Therapy Center in Manhattan NY.

To see other great articles by Dr. Sullivan, please visit  https://gethealthy.infusionsoft.com/go/8.30-PN-Tel-Sem/vinhol/
There, you will find many more articles and resources to help educate
and get rid of your back pain forever.

“Sex and Back Pain”
By Jerry Corners, MD

www.losethebackpain.com



Back pain and sex don’t go together very well and if you or your
partner are among the 35 million people who have back pain, you know
 that back pain can disrupt your relationship. Sex is an important
part of the intimacy between couples, and attitudes about sex, about
rejection and about our self-image when we don’t feel up to a sexual
encounter can haunt a couple for a long time.

Sex is supposed to be pleasurable for both of you and the fear of
hurting yourself or your partner inhibits the spontaneous joy that
you probably felt before your back pain developed. But what can you
do about it?  Most couples in which one or the other is restricted
by back pain will eventually get around to realizing that back pain
does not automatically mean no more sex. What it does mean is that
you will need to make some accommodations to the pain and or the
fear of it.  It also means you will need to talk about sex in a
slightly different way than you are used to.

Let’s back up for a second and begin with a very strong suggestion. 
Because pain has both a psychological component and a physical
component, getting a sound diagnosis is critical to putting your
mind at rest about what is wrong and secondly having a sound
diagnosis will also give you guidelines for your physical
limitations.
Secondly, after you have the diagnosis, involve the doctor or
physical therapist in a frank discussion about dos and don’ts. 
Maybe that’s an uncomfortable subject for you, but these days we
are talking more openly about sex and you should tap into the
doctor’s experience here.  In a perfect world the doctor would open
the discussion for you, but if they don’t you may have to initiate
it.  Ideally your partner should be present because he or she will
have his or her own questions and concerns.
Starting off right
To start sex off right, start off with a massage, or ice down the
painful area. A warm shower together might help too. That way the
muscles are relaxed.
Positions
Here are some sexual positions that can help you enjoy a pain-free
experience.
For males:
1. Lay on a firm surface and use pillows to support your knees and
head.  You might like to try placing a small rolled towel under your
lower back.
2. Try a side-by-side position.
3. Place a pillow under your lower back while your partner straddles
you on top. You can also sit in a sturdy chair instead of lying down.
For females:
1. Try missionary position with the legs bent toward the chest.
2. Sit on the edge of a chair and have your kneel between your legs
for entry.
3. Rear entry may also be more comfortable for women with back pain.
Try it kneeling on the bed or lying on your belly with a pillow under
her chest.
4. Sit on your partner's lap as he sits in a chair.

Remember, the health of your back is dependent on many dynamic factors. 
Your symptoms may change over time so you may need to work with your
health care provider from time to time as you go through the many
stages of recovery.  A word of caution is in order at this point.  It
is pretty common to begin feeling better and then overdo it and have
your back pain symptoms flair up.  We call this, the whoopee effect
and it can happen to anyone.  Just remember that as you improve
gradually, so should your activity level also increase gradually. 

As I mentioned earlier pain has two parts.  There is the physical part. 
This is the actual stimulation of the nerve, like a painful tooth or a
herniated disc pressing on the nerve.  And then there is the subjective
or the psychological part.  This is how it feels to you and includes,
among other things, such attitudes as fear that it will get worse or
last forever, what will it means to be chronically disabled, and what
you believe your partner thinks about it as well as how you are coping
with your condition.

So, at the top of your agenda there needs to be a frank discussion of
your pain limitations and expectations about sex.  It is a mistake to
believe that your partner understands what it feels like.  It is your
responsibility to communicate those limitations as clearly as possible;
it is their responsibility to listen and try to understand.  Pain, after
all, is invisible and subjective.  That means your pain is unique to you. 
We have heard people liken back pain to everything from a hot poker
going down one or both legs to a chronic aching sensation localized to
the lumbar area.  It doesn’t matter what words you use, just try to
explain the pain, what causes it (position, certain movements, or
whatever), and what feels good or is what is comfortable for you.

Is it obvious that if it hurts, don’t do it is generally good advice but
some positions and techniques hurt more than others? It may require some
gentle experimentation to find out what works but as in most sex advice,
“gentle” is the best place to start.

In terms of maximizing yours and your partner’s sexual pleasure, it is
very important to stress that all you really need is your imagination and
the willingness to experiment to open up new areas of intimacy.  But it
all begins with willingness to try.  And given that, you just may find
that the lemon of back pain can be turned into the lemonade of new
sources of mutual pleasure. 

About the author: For more information on Back Pain and how to treat it
effectively, read the latest back Pain Advisory from The Healthy Back
Institute at  https://gethealthy.infusionsoft.com/go/8.30-PN-Tel-Sem/vinhol/.