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Category: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

A detailed guide to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), including its symptoms, causes, and effective treatment strategies to improve energy and well-being.

  • Why I’m Talking About My Chronic Pain and Why You Should Too

    As a physical therapist, my job is to assist my patients to move better, get stronger, and most often to reduce their pain. This is an important, gratifying, and yet often challenging profession. This is in part due to my own daily chronic pain that is primarily in my low back and tailbone. I have been in some level of pain constantly for the past ten years.

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    While there are times that I share my experience with my patients, I usually smile, persevere and act as if everything is fine. I think many others with chronic pain can relate to this alternate persona—the brave mask so many chronic pain warriors put on daily.

    This is one of the tricky things about living with chronic pain. Most of the time I just want to feel normal. I want to go about my day-to-day tasks as if everything was not a monumental challenge and a huge energy expense. I want to pretend that my chronic pain has not affected my job satisfaction, my relationships and my feelings of self-worth.

    There are other times when I want to scream. I want to wear a sign across my chest that says, “Please be gentle with me, I have chronic pain.” I want everyone around me know what I’m going through, why I am the way I am. I want my struggles heard, to know that it’s not easy. It is not pity I seek, but rather compassionate recognition of the daily challenges of living with chronic pain.

    I’m often afraid to talk about my struggles with chronic pain. This would mean ripping up the mask––that brave face that I have worked so hard to maintain. My hope is that if I am true and open about my experiences more, a few people might feel less alone. A few people may push aside the fear of stigmatization and feel comfortable to be open and honest about what they are going through.

    Early in my clinical training, a patient taught me an important lesson. She told me to never tell someone, “I know how you feel.” Her statement took me aback, but her explanation has really stuck with me. It is true. I could never really know what someone is feeling. It is impossible to know just from their explanations, my own examination and my pre-conceived beliefs and education.

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    I cannot innately tell how past experiences have affected someone. I cannot exactly grasp the psychological impacts that their illness or pain has had on them. I do not know all other aspects of their life that this has affected. I can’t ever fully understand what someone else is going through, but I can listen. I can respect someone’s experience and I can do my best to validate their concerns. I can call on my past experiences of others discrediting my own feelings and I can work hard to not allow this to happen to another person—at least when they are working with me.

    I learned that opening up about my pain did lead to judgment from a few—one family member told someone that I write about my chronic pain, as a way to complain and vent. Many more have provided support and encouragement. I also learned that ignoring your pain and suffering in silence does not make it go away. I have found that by acknowledging my pain it encourages me to seek more treatment and work harder toward finding relief.

    Most importantly, talking about my pain has allowed me to maintain the healthy human connection that we all crave and need so badly in this life. It is so much easier to genuinely connect with the people in your life when you are raw and honest. It is never easy, but eventually you will have to take the mask off and let the person see the real you.

    I hope that you will find that by talking about your experiences with chronic pain and acknowledging its presence will lessen the power it has over your life. By ignoring my pain, I felt helpless. I let my chronic pain determine what kind of day I was going to have, how long a relationship could last, and how many hours I could stand to work in a week.

    While the process is ongoing, I am happy to be taking steps to regain control and be honest about my experiences. I am in far less discomfort than I used to be and now I have something even more important—the hope that one day I might actually be pain-free.

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  • What to Look for in a Pain Management Clinic

    If you’re in pain, you’re not alone.

    About 1 in 4 Americans suffer from pain that lasts more than 24 hours. In fact, more people suffer from pain than from cancer, heart disease, and diabetes combined.

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    Where can you get relief? An increasing number of people with chronic pain are turning to pain management clinics, and for good reason. They can make a real difference in lessening their patients’ pain and helping them live more productive lives. But not all pain clinics are created equal.

    Ask these five questions when you’re choosing a pain treatment clinic.

    1. Are the doctor board certified in pain management?

    Pain treatment is complicated, and the research is continually evolving. Specialized pain doctors have in-depth knowledge of the physiology of pain, the diagnostic tests used to pinpoint the cause, the most appropriate medications to treat it, and how to perform pain-relieving procedures such as nerve blocks or spinal injections.

    To be certified as a pain specialist, a doctor must complete a fellowship—that’s a level of training beyond the residency all doctors must complete. Only three organizations offer pain management certification in the United States— the American Board of Anesthesiology, the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Before you make an appointment, find out if your doctor is certified by one of those organizations.

    2. Does the clinic have experience treating your particular type of pain?

    Rheumatoid arthritis pain is different from cancer pain, which is different from migraines. Make sure the clinic you’re considering has doctors with experience treating your ailment. Find out how many years of experience they have and what kind of methods they recommend.

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    3. Does the clinic offer a range of treatment options?

    We all experience pain differently and respond differently to treatments. One patient may feel fine after a steroid injection, while another will need spinal cord stimulation to get relief. And although opioid medications have their place in pain treatment, they also pose serious risks. If a clinic focuses mainly on opioid prescriptions, you may want to look elsewhere.

    4. Are you comfortable with your doctor?

    To get good results, you and your doctor need to be on the same team. You need to feel like your doctor respects you, understands your pain and can help solve your problem.

    5. Does the clinic support a comprehensive treatment program involving multiple professionals?

    Sometimes you need lots of players on your team to get relief. You may need physical therapy to strengthen muscles so you can move with less pain, or you may benefit from acupuncture or chiropractic care. Your pain may be causing depression or anxiety, which a counselor can help you address.

    Make sure the pain clinic understands the importance of involving experts from multiple specialties to treat you as a whole person. They should be willing to refer you to outside professionals in complementary fields. Some may even have those experts available at the clinic.

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  • Smart Steps for Healthy Feet

    Are your feet something you think about only when they hurt? Simple steps can protect them from common problems, some of which are hard to get rid of.

    READ: The Ways to Treat Your Feet Right

    The first step is to wear shoes, such as water slip-ons, in moist environments like indoor swimming pools and communal showers at the gym. Damp areas allow bacteria and viruses to thrive, and walking barefoot makes you more susceptible to common infections like nail fungus, athlete’s foot and warts.

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    You don’t have to give up style, but skip shoes that don’t feel comfortable from the moment you try them on. Calluses, corns, blisters and irritations can all result from or get worse from shoes that pinch and don’t fit well. It’s a mistake to expect that the shoes will “give” and feel better over time.

    Choose hosiery with care. That means buying socks and tights made from breathable fabrics. It’s not always possible to wear cotton, so if your feet get sweaty when you wear hosiery made of synthetics like nylon, take these steps: Carefully wash and dry feet when you get home, hand-wash the hosiery every night and let shoes dry out before you wear them again — you may need to wait 48 hours.

    A pedicure might be a great treat for your feet, but beware of harmful practices, both at salons and at home. It’s OK to gently slough off dead skin cells with a pumice stone after soaking your feet, but tools with razor blades are dangerous.

    Cutting cuticles is also unsafe. Gently push them back with an orange wood stick. To prevent ingrown toenails, clip straight across, not in a curve. The edges should be just a few millimeters shy of the toe tips. Use an emery board to smooth any ragged spots straight across.

    If you’re concerned about any changes in your feet, promptly contact your doctor or a podiatrist for an evaluation.

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  • The 7 Most Common Types of Neck Injury

    If your car was rear-ended two days ago, and you wake up with neck pain, the cause is obvious: you’re likely suffering from whiplash. Other times the cause of your neck injury can be more mysterious. Sometimes you wake up with a “crick” in your neck and have no idea why.

    Understanding the cause of your neck pain is the first step in figuring out how to treat it. Here are some of the most common causes:

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    1. Car accidents. When you are hit from behind in a car, your head is thrown forward and backward quickly, which can damage muscles, ligaments, and sometimes nerves in the neck.
    2. Athletic injury or fall. Football players are especially prone to neck injuries, but a mishap that damages the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the neck can happen to anyone.
    3. Overuse injuries, stress, and poor posture. If you’re doing repetitive tasks that involve the upper body and arms, you may find yourself with a stiff neck. Sitting hunched over your computer too long while stressing about a tight deadline can also be a culprit.
    4. Poor sleeping position. Sleeping with your neck twisted at an odd angle (perhaps while on your stomach) or using pillows that are either too full or too flat may cause you to wake up achy.
    5. Arthritis. Over time the cartilage that helps cushion the bones in your neck may wear down, causing pain.
    6. Pinched nerves. Sometimes bone spurs or herniated disks will put pressure on nerves in your neck, causing pain and sometimes numbness or tingling in your arms or hand.
    7. Illnesses. Some serious illnesses, such as meningitis or cancer, can cause neck pain.

    Important: If you or someone you are with has severe neck pain or loss of movement or feeling after an accident, get emergency help immediately. They could have a broken or dislocated spine, which could injure the spinal cord and cause permanent paralysis.

    Neck Injury Symptoms

    The symptoms you’re suffering can sometimes help a neck injury doctor identify the cause.

    • Aches and stiffness, sometimes spreading to your back or arms, can be a sign of a sprain or strain in the muscles or ligaments.
    • Shooting pain that includes a burning or stinging sensation and sometimes numbness or tingling can indicate a pinched nerve.
    • Neck pain accompanied by the shoulder and arm pain and sometimes headache, dizziness, or nausea can mean you have a torn or ruptured disc.
    • A stiff neck accompanied by fever, headache, and sometimes vomiting can be a sign of meningitis.

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    To diagnose the source of your pain, a neck injury doctor will ask you questions about your health and history and do a physical examination. He or she may also use X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, and blood tests to help figure out what’s causing your pain.

    How to Treat Neck Injury Pain

    Often a neck injury will resolve by itself with rest and over-the-counter medications. If your pain continues for a week or more, though, you may want to see a doctor. In some cases, your general practice physician will refer you to a pain specialist or a doctor who specializes in neck injuries.

    Neck injury treatment can involve the following:

    • Ice, rest, muscle relaxants, and over-the-counter pain medication.
    • Physical therapy, including stretching and other exercises.
    • Prescription-strength nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other prescription medications.
    • Chiropractic care, massage therapy, or acupuncture.
    • Epidural steroid injections can provide pain relief for three to four months.
    • Nerve blocks, which contain local pain medications to control acute pain.
    • Radiofrequency ablation, or rhizotomy, which is a minimally invasive procedure that destroys the nerve fibers in the neck that carry pain signals.
    • Spinal cord stimulation involves implanting devices in the spine that deliver mild electrical pulses to block the transmission of pain.
    • Surgery. While seldom necessary, surgery can be an option if other treatments aren’t providing enough relief.

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  • Your Body in Extreme Heat

    Everyone who has survived a summer in the United States knows that temperatures can easily exceed 100 degrees. Natives may brush it off saying “at least it’s a dry heat,” but extreme heat actually has a negative impact on the body if you’re not careful. In fact, some studies have even linked heat to chronic pain conditions!

    When the body heats up due to exercise or external conditions, the natural response is to sweat so that the body can cool down. However, in extreme heat, heat gets trapped in our bodies and we have a harder time releasing it. Dehydration can prevent the body from sweating, so it’s vital for United States residents to drink plenty of water. If our internal body temperature is raised, it also becomes very hard for blood to flow to the surface of the skin. So when the temperature rises outside, your heart has to beat a lot faster.

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    Chronic pain patients need to be especially careful when dealing with excessive heat. There have been many studies linking heat to increased rheumatoid arthritis pain, but the evidence is not conclusive. Some studies have suggested that patients with rheumatoid arthritis experience more pain during the summer heat, and this may be because the joints could be less lubricated and become inflamed. However, other studies have found no correlation between weather and arthritis.

    Another thing to consider is pain medication. Medication labels often list a recommended storage temperature, so leaving medication in the heat is not a good idea. Certain medications become less effective if they are stored in places above the recommended temperature (typically around 75 degrees). If you find that your medication is not working as effectively during the summer months, the physicians at Chronicillness.co Site of United States recommends being cautious as to not leave pain medication in your purse or near the windows during the summer months.

    During the summer, always remember to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Having an excess of sodium can cause the body to swell, and water helps to flush out excess sodium in the body. Without enough water, the body can become inflamed. In addition, dehydration can cause fatigue and dehydration headaches. While this is not directly tied to chronic pain, these effects can amplify existing symptoms in people with fibromyalgia, joint pain, and chronic headaches.

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  • Can Coffee Cause Arthritis?

    There are a number of risk factors associated with developing rheumatoid arthritis. You are more likely to develop the condition if you are a woman between the ages of 40 and 60, smoke, have a family history of rheumatoid arthritis, or are clinically obese. Of course, none of these factors guarantee a future diagnosis, but they do increase your risk of developing the condition. However, many patients with Chronicillness.co Site of the United States wonders whether their coffee drinking habits are a risk factor as well.

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    There actually is no consensus on whether or not coffee makes people more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. The results of research studies do not agree — some reports say coffee can cause arthritis while others have found no relationship.

    Some of the research discrediting this claim states coffee contains an antioxidant known as polyphenol. Polyphenol’s health effects are not definite, but traditional medicine suggests that the antioxidant can cause an anti-inflammatory effect. Green teas and fruit smoothies also contain polyphenols and are typically recommended for rheumatoid arthritis patients because they may help reduce pain and swelling in the joints.

    However, a study published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases found that coffee may contribute to rheumatoid arthritis. The study surveyed men and women of varying ages and asked them about their coffee consumption. It found that the number of cups per day was proportional to a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. However, the study did not prove that coffee was the sole cause of the condition and additional factors could have contributed to the condition like smoking, consuming alcohol, being obese, and more.

    The physicians at Chronicillness.co Site of United States does not necessarily suggest cutting down your coffee consumption, but it should be consumed in moderation. This is because the evidence supporting the claim is not widely accepted in the medical community. If you begin to notice early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis including, but not limited to, fatigue, fever, swollen or stiff joints, or even weight loss, please do not hesitate to call our office. Our physicians can help you manage your symptoms and help you control your pain through medication, joint injections, physical therapy, and more.

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  • Nerve Block Technique Might Help Chronic Back Pain

    A procedure that uses radio waves to treat chronic low back pain provided long-lasting relief to a small group of patients, researchers report.

    Called intradiscal biacuplasty (IDB), the procedure uses two water-cooled needles to blast radiofrequency energy at the nerve fibers within and around a spinal disc that’s begun to degenerate but has not ruptured, explained lead researcher Dr. Michael Gofeld.

    “Basically you’re destroying the nerve fibers, which will lead to the elimination of pain,” he said. Gofeld is a chronic pain management specialist at St. Michael’s Hospital and Women’s College Hospital in Toronto.

    A year out from treatment, half of the patients who received IDB in the study said they still were experiencing significant pain reduction, Gofeld and his colleagues reported.

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    The treatment is specifically to help people with discogenic back pain, Gofeld said — pain related to discs that are deteriorating but have not ruptured.

    Prior studies have found that discogenic back pain accounts for 39 percent of cases of chronic lower back pain, he said.

    The idea of using radio waves to treat back pain has been around for a quarter-century, Gofeld said. But recent breakthroughs using water-cooled needles have made the technology potentially more effective.

    “If the needle gets too hot, the energy will not spread efficiently enough,” Gofeld said.

    The procedure takes about a half hour, followed by six weeks of physical therapy, he said. Ideal patients have lower back pain that doesn’t shoot down the legs and limited disc degeneration, with no significant tears or ruptures.

    Dr. John Mafi, an internist and assistant professor at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, in Los Angeles, pointed out that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved IDB for use in 2007. But the technology has not been widely adopted in the United States, he said.

    “It’s not widely used,” Mafi said. “Insurance doesn’t seem to cover it yet, and that may be because they want to see more evidence.”

    For example, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ruled in September 2008 that the government insurance plans would not cover any radiofrequency treatments for low back pain. The CMS decision memo concluded that there wasn’t enough evidence to prove that the procedures would improve health outcomes.

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    Gofeld’s study, which was funded by device manufacturer Kimberly-Clark Corp., focused on 22 patients who received IDB treatment alongside typical medical care for back pain.

    These patients originally showed less pain at six months following treatment, and now a one-year follow-up found that their pain reduction and improved function had continued, Gofeld said.

    The one-year report also included 25 members of the initial control group for the study, who at first only received typical medical care that included physical therapy and exercises.

    These patients were allowed to “cross over” after six months and receive IDB. They also experienced some pain relief and improved function, the Canadian researchers reported.

    However, their pain reduction was not as strong as that experienced by the original treatment group, Gofeld said.

    “We can infer from this result that the sooner we do the procedure and get the patient into rehabilitation treatment, the better will be the result,” he said.

    Researchers also found no significant side effects associated with IDB.

    The findings were presented Feb. 19 at the American Academy of Pain Medicine’s annual meeting in Palm Springs, Calif. Research presented at meetings should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

    Mafi said the small number of patients involved makes this more of a “pilot study.”

    “I wouldn’t jump to any changes in policy based on this study,” Mafi said. “This is a promising start, but now it’s time to do a rigorous clinical trial from this pilot data.”

    Dr. Nathaniel Tindel, an orthopedic spine surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, also sounded a cautious note, based on both the small number of participants and the fact that numerous prior radiofrequency treatments have failed to help people with low back pain.

    “Whenever there are a plethora of procedures offered to treat a condition which is known to heal best when left alone, those procedures are either all very effective or equally ineffective,” Tindel said. “Unfortunately, medical research has already shown us that intradiscal therapy falls into the latter category, and to date has not been shown to have long-term effect on back pain and disc disease.”

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  • What is a Quell Device?

    Chronicillness.co Site of United States values innovation, so when a new FDA-approved device comes out, we want our patients to be the first to learn about the possible benefits. You may have heard of a TENS unit, a device our patients have been using for years. A TENS unit is a small device that sends electrical stimulation to the nerves to correct any misfiring nerves and stop them from sending pain signals to the brain. A Quell device is similar to this.

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    A Quell device looks a little bit like the armbands you wear to the gym that holds your iPod or phone. However, this device is worn on your calf. While it doesn’t hold any iPods, it can actually be controlled from your smartphone! Instead of coming to appointments to have your electrical impulse levels adjusted by a physician, you can control the level you need.

    So how does it work? The band is equipped with an electrode or a conductor that sends electricity into the body.  By stimulating the nerves in the calf, signals can be sent to the spine and then the brain, so it works for pain in all areas of the body.

    After strong evidence that it can help people suffering from chronic pain, it received FDA approval and is available at Chronicillness.co Site of United States. The device offers a nighttime mode and can be worn 24 hours per day, but some people may find it uncomfortable to sleep with, or that they are unable to wear tight-fitting pants while using the device. The nighttime mode can be programmed to go off every other hour to avoid disturbing sleep patterns.

    While we believe Quell can be available to patients at a lower cost than some of our implantable electrical devices, the electrodes do need to be replaced about every two weeks, although the battery can be charged and work for up to 30 hours. Our physicians do not see Quell as a permanent fix for chronic pain. Pain relief stops when the device comes off, so we recommend pursuing other treatment options at the same time.

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  • 9 Questions to Ask About Postsurgical Pain Management

    One of the best ways to ease anxiety about a major event, like surgery, is to plan ahead. Conversations about postsurgical pain management need to happen before your procedure, so you can focus on your recovery after surgery is complete.

    Here are 9 questions you should ask your attending health care professional before having surgery.

    What should I do before my surgery?

    Make sure you understand your health care provider’s instructions about eating and drinking. Anesthesia administered during surgery may require you to have an empty stomach.

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    What can I expect on the day of my surgery?

    Preemptive or preventive pain relievers may be given, in addition to general anesthesia or other sedatives before surgery. Local anesthetics may be used during surgery to numb the area and help control pain. These may be placed directly into the surgical site, into or around a nerve (“nerve block“) or close to the spinal cord (“epidural”). Ask your health care provider to walk you through the pain management plan so there are no surprises.

    How much discomfort is usually associated with this procedure?

    This will depend on the type of procedure you’re having and the pain medications used before, during and after your surgery. Be sure and talk with your health care provider so you will know what to expect and be familiar with all of your options for pain management.

    How will my pain be managed after surgery?

    Depending on the type of procedure you’re having, a combination of medications may be used before, during and after surgery to block the various sources and pathways of pain. Essentially, these drugs may work in different areas or in different ways to better address your specific needs. Ask your health care provider about the risks and benefits of each medication being used along the way.

    How will we measure my pain?

    One of the best signs of proper pain management is being able to start moving and resume normal activities. You may also be periodically asked to measure your pain on a scale from 1 to 10 (with 10 being the worst pain and anything above 7 being severe). If you’re taking pain medication, it’s important to stay ahead of your pain and not let your pain levels get out of control.

    What do you need to know about me to individualize my treatment plan?

    Sharing information about yourself and your medical history will help your surgeon better understand your treatment needs and tailor a pain management plan that’s right for you. Let your health care provider know if you are:

    • Allergic to certain medications
    • Pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning for either
    • Taking other pain medications
    • Nervous about taking narcotic medications, or if you’ve had a previous negative experience
    • Sleep apneic
    • Asthmatic, or have COPD or other breathing problems
    • Suffering from a stomach ulcer or other gastrointestinal problems
    • Currently taking blood thinners or medications for other conditions
    • Or have ever been diagnosed with heart, liver, or kidney disease

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    How can I minimize exposure to narcotics? What options do I have?

    There are a variety of products your surgeon may give you before and during surgery to minimize your need for narcotics after surgery, including local anesthetics. Local anesthetics are numbing medications that can be used to numb the area where you had surgery from anywhere between a few hours to a few days. These may be placed directly into the surgical site, into or around a nerve (“nerve block”) or close to the spinal cord (epidural). If long-lasting local anesthetics are used during your procedure to numb the surgical site, you may require less narcotic pain medication afterwards.

    After surgery, there are several non-narcotic options that may be appropriate for you, including common over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. These may be prescribed in higher doses than the OTC dosages. All can help control mild to moderate pain. Aspirin may also help prevent blood clots, while NSAIDs may help reduce swelling and inflammation. Once you’re in the recovery room, your pain medication may be given orally (by mouth) or through an IV (a tube feeding into a vein).

    Here is more information about postsurgical pain management options.

    What side effects can I expect?

    The kinds of side effects you may experience will depend on the type of medications used before, during and after your surgery. For example, narcotics may cause constipation, nausea and vomiting, while nerve blocks can cause muscle weakness. Ask your health care provider about the side effects that can be expected with all the pain medications you will receive.

    How will I manage pain at home?

    Before you leave the hospital, make sure you feel 100 percent comfortable about how your pain will be managed at home. In most cases, you will be given a prescription for pain medication before or after surgery. You may be able to fill the prescription at the hospital pharmacy or it may be sent in to your local pharmacy for pickup on your way home. Making sure you have your pain medication in hand when you reach home, will help you stay ahead of your pain and not let it get out of control. Before you take your medication, be sure to read the enclosed instructions about how often to take the medication and what side effects to look for. If you have any questions about your pain medication, ask your local pharmacist or your health care professional.

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  • Swimming for Degenerative Disc Disease Pain

    As summer approaches, more families are heading to the pool to cool off. It is also a time when many who suffer from a wide range of pain conditions take advantage of the pool to help ease their pain. But does swimming actually help reduce degenerative disc disease pain? There is a bit of a debate within the chronic pain community about this exact question. Some argue swimming can worsen back pain, while others say swimming is a safe form of exercise for degenerative disc disease.

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    Our pain management doctors often recommend exercise to help relieve degenerative disc pain. Light and low-impact exercise can help increase blood flow to the spine, strengthen the muscles that support the spine, and even help patients keep off additional weight. High-impact exercises, like running or jumping, may cause a great deal of pain because damaged discs cannot absorb shock as well on hard surfaces. Swimming solves this problem because our spines don’t have to work as hard to support our bodies. The buoyancy of water eliminates the stress that is usually absorbed by the joints during exercise.

    For this reason, patients with degenerative disc disease may find pain relief from doing light stretches or exercises in the pool. Backstroke is often recommended because it promotes a neutral spine, and reduces the risk of hyperextension associated with other swim strokes. Those who are not ready for swimming may opt to try water aerobics, which can help strengthen the core and lower back muscles.

    In some cases, however, swimming may be harmful to degenerative disc disease and other back or spine conditions. Patients unfamiliar with the breaststroke may accidentally throw the head back too far, and those doing a front stroke requiring them to look to the side for breath may hurt their necks as well. Patients who want to try swimming for degenerative disc pain should first consult with their doctor, and consider working with a certified trainer or physical therapist before trying any of the exercises on their own.

    If you are cleared to swim, start with spine-friendly swim techniques and stretches that you are already familiar with – and go slow. Take care to use proper technique, and try to keep your body straight and avoid twisting the spine. Floatation devices can be used to help avoid hyperextension in your back or neck, as you are less tempted to move into an irregular position to stay afloat.

    Through activities like swimming and aqua therapy, you can beat the heat and feel better too. If you are experiencing degenerative disc disease pain or other back pain, talk to your physician or a board-certified pain management specialist for more tips to relieve your back pain.

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