Health and Diet Blog

Ann Monahan asked:




Oh the pain of Constant Heartburn and Acid Reflux Disease! 

If you are a sufferer of Constant Heartburn and Acid Reflux Disease you know the nasty symptoms that come with these conditions.   Like most people I have suffered from this condition over the years and wanted to try some natural remedies to get relief. 

So what is Heartburn and Acid Reflux and why do I have it?   

It is a common digestive condition experienced by thousands of people.  The symptoms results from acidic contents of the stomach flowing back into the esophagus.  Some people experience hoarseness in the throat and a sour taste in the mouth and nose.  More commonly there is a feeling of burning in the chest which can last for hours. 

Constant heartburn and acid reflux pain can also be caused by lifestyle habits which may include weight gain, smoking, alcohol consumption, eating fatty or fast foods, eating too quickly, eating heavy meals, eating just before going to bed, and eating foods high in acidity. 

Common food triggers include:  coffee, caffeinated and carbonated beverages, mint products including mint tea, citrus fruit, chocolate, tomato products and fatty foods. 

What can I do about it? 

For the majority of occasional heartburn sufferers making a few changes will greatly improve their condition and reduce painful symptoms.  Food triggers may be different from person to person.  If you really want to pinpoint the specific items that cause your pain, you should try totally eliminating potential trigger products to see if your Heartburn is caused by one or more food items.  You can also keep a daily diary of the foods you eat and when heartburn does occur, evaluate the foods you have eaten and take steps to reduce or eliminate those items. 

To find out if smoking or consuming alcohol are your triggers, just making a reduction in the amount you consume and see if you experience relief.  You do not necessarily have to eliminate all the things you enjoy; just reducing the amounts can help.  

What else should I do? 

Simple lifestyle changes such as reducing weight, starting a light exercise program such as regular walking, eating smaller meals and slowing down when you eat have been know to help people with their symptoms.    

Additional helpful hints include – wearing looser fitting clothing, not eating too close to bedtime and raising the head of your bed about 2-3 inches with a block under the legs. 

Generally speaking, a healthier lifestyle will make a big difference in how you feel. Be sure to check with your doctor when undertaking any lifestyle changes, especially a new exercise program.  Also keep in mind that there are other gastro esophageal reflux diseases which unlike occasional heartburn can be more serious and should be evaluated by your doctor.

Drake Levoux asked:


Below is a review for a book by acid reflux and heartburn expert Jeff Martin. Want to know if it’s for you? Keep reading!

Don’t you just hate taking a nice, delicious sip of orange juice, only to feel heartburn or acid reflux later? You’re not alone, and so many of the medications out right now not only fix the problem that happens at the time (not permanently) but come with the possibility of side-effects that can just make the condition worse. A program called Heartburn No More by Jeff Martin, a certified nutritionist, medical researcher, and health consult, plans to make this problem go away with his methods to get rid of acid reflux once and for all. On paper, this sounds like a great acid reflux cure that can save you money and discomfort, but can it really live up to all the hype? Let’s see.

Upon going to this products website, you will see a good amount of promises from the writer of this product, but I’ll just go over the promises that are the most appealing to me. The first promise is that this product can act as an acid reflux cure and end your acid reflux permanently. This is true and in fact, that’s the main idea of this entire product. It works to make sure your symptoms are gone and that you can live more comfortably without it using money saving tips and remedies in five straight-forward steps. It might even go over some reasons why you’ve had no luck getting rid of acid reflux before.

Click Here to go to Acid Reflux expert Jeff Martin’s website and check it out yourself!

Want to know more about it? Keep reading!



Another very important promise is that it will eliminate your risk of cancer, high blood pressure, or Alzheimer’s that you get as side effects from regular medications. This is also true. Heartburn No More is around 150 pages long and acid reflux isn’t the only thing that can be cured by following the steps you’ll find inside. The remedies you’ll find in Heartburn No More are either more natural or a lot cheaper than the conventional medications, which will in the long run cure you of acid reflux and more.

The last benefit that I’ll go over is that this will help you experience increased mental clarity, enthusiasm, and vitality. This is true, not only will the remedies help your acid reflux, but it will also help other problems such as constant chest pressure and pain or burping.

This book does contain some absolutely VITAL tips, such as the top 10 foods to avoid, top 10 anti-acid reflux foods, the cardinal sin of acid reflux sufferers that they THINK is curing it, but is actually making it harder for their body to fight against acid reflux, and more.

I will say that that this product is not claiming to be a quick way to end acid reflux. While it will cure your acid reflux permanently, you’ll have to commit to these 5 steps. Heartburn No More won’t heal you overnight.

Use this product if you are looking for alternative methods to ending your acid reflux disease, as it is a nicely written, comprehensive guide to ending acid reflux without the risk of side-effects you get from drugs. At r.ecommended.com, this product was able to receive a very healthy 4.03/5 score. Even more than that though is that the product is in the top 5% and that only .37% of people have asked for a refund for any reason. I recommend it if you are looking for a better guide to a more natural and rewarding acid reflux cure. For more information Click Here!

Shanat Kuphur asked:




IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is characterized by abdominal pain. Other symptoms include cramping, gas, diarrhea, constipation or bloating. Irritable bowel syndrome affects the colon or the large bowel. Irritable bowel syndrome is not a disease but a functional disorder. Irritable bowel syndrome means that the bowel is not functionally properly or correctly. The cause of Irritable bowel syndrome is still a mystery; doctors are not able to give a proper answer for the cause of Irritable bowel syndrome. Those affected have sensitive nerves and muscles in their bowel, i.e., muscles that contract too much when eating. Such contractions cause diarrhea and cramping after a meal or during meal. The reason for cramping or pain is that the nerves may react while the bowel is stretching. Irritable bowel syndrome is very painful but not dangerous for other organs or does not lead to more health problems.

Chronic diarrhea or constipation, mucus, which is in white color in your stool, swollen abdomen or an uneasy feeling in your stomach are symptoms. Women with Irritable bowel syndrome suffer more symptoms during their menstrual periods.

Doctor may find that you have Irritable bowel syndrome due to its symptoms. The most specific of Irritable bowel syndrome is a Rome criterion that is widely used for diagnosis of Irritable bowel syndrome. The best ways to diagnosis is undergoing medical tests after every six months. The medical tests you need to undergo for Irritable Bowel Syndrome are Lower gastrointestinal (GI) series and Colonoscopy. In lower gastrointestinal (GI) series, x-rays are you to diagnose the problem. Where as in colonoscopy the doctor inserts a long thin tube with a camera into your colon. Doctors can view inside the colon with the help of the camera on the screen.

Treatment means a proper diet, taking medicines on time, taking less stress. Diet for Irritable bowel syndrome do not include fatty foods, French fries is the enemy. Ice cream, cheese, chocolate, alcohol, soft drinks, coffee are allies making Irritable bowel syndrome worse. Your diet must be according to the food pyramid. Apples and peaches are favorable to Irritable bowel syndrome. Vegetables like broccoli and cabbage are also good. Intake of cereals and beans like kidney beans and lima beans help to take care of Irritable bowel syndrome. Doctors suggest taking fibre pills or drinking water with high-fiber powder. Eating small meals for Irritable bowel syndrome is helpful. Medicines suggested by doctors should be taken on time for Irritable bowel syndrome. Keeping you busy with less stressful work like your hobbies help Irritable bowel syndrome to be away from you to some extent.

The method of hypnosis is also used for the treatment of Irritable bowel syndrome. You don’t need to make special accommodations in your busy schedule to fit in hypnosis sessions, so there’s no question of taking medical leaves. You can begin hypnosis to treat IBS right at home. You simply need to download hypnosis for IBS and listen to your MP3. This will help you relax and transcend., you will reach a new level of peace and concentration where stress and the irritable present condition do not bother you.

Darrell Miller asked:




Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized as abdominal pain and discomfort, gas and bloating, loose and frequent bowel movements, or constipation. Naturopaths for years have observed beneficial effects of acidophilus on IBS. Now there are clinical controlled studies to back up what the naturopaths have been saying for years. Acidophilus can boost intestinal flora (probiotics) and stabilize the intestines helping people get relief from IBS.

You may be wondering what is a probiotic? The term probiotic comes from ‘pro’, which means ‘for’, and ‘bios’, which means ‘life’. So probiotic means ‘for life’. Probiotic is a term used to describe nutritional supplements that contain live bacteria. Almost every brand of supplements out there has its own form of probiotic supplement.

Two of the most abundant and best known probiotics in the intestines are Bifidobacterium and lactobacillus. These probiotics adhere to the intestinal walls and multiply helping keep our bodies healthy. Probiotics help keep fungus and yeast cells at bay. Probiotics help keep your stool soft, well formed, and aids in bowel movements. Probiotics can manufacture B vitamins and vitamin K; they also make lactase the enzyme that digests milk, and dairy products like cheese. Probiotics can help prevent cholesterol from entering the blood stream which means it can lower your total blood level cholesterol. Probiotics can bring balance to the immune system. Probiotics can also reduce dental cavities, aid in weight loss, make our bones strong and healthy, help control acne and help prevent illness such as cancer and autism. They help prevent Gastro intestinal (GI) infections in children who attend day care and elderly who live in a nursing home. In fact, almost 70 percent of the body’s immune system is actually located inside the GI tract. (1)

It’s clear that probiotics are essential for proper intestinal health and over all health of the body. These probiotics will grow and multiple in the intestines all your life. It’s easy for the probiotic balance to change and stop multiplying; it’s as simple as getting the flue or traveling to a distant land or if one develops an infection and needs antibiotics. Antibiotics can devastate the probiotic colony in the intestines. The colony of probiotics can easily be overwhelmed so daily supplementation is something everybody should consider for optimal health.

One double blind, placebo controlled study tested over 350 women with IBS. They consumed 1 billion Bifidobacterium each day for four weeks. The women consuming the probiotic experienced a significant reduction in symptoms of IBS. Higher and lower doses were also tried with little added benefit. (2) Another study conducted administered 450 billion cells daily for eight weeks. This study combined Bifidobacterium, lactobacillus and streptococcus blend of probiotics. Patients reported significant improvement in bowel control and less abdominal pain and bloating after 8 weeks. (3)

Choosing the right probiotic is very important. At a minimum, look for a probiotic that is enteric coated. Stomach acid will destroy these live bacteria and enteric coated capsules can help preserve these beneficial bacteria for where they are needed, the intestinal tract.

Probiotics are very vulnerable to the elements. Probiotics are anaerobic organisms so oxygen can kill them. Sunlight or artificial light can kill probiotics; they love the dark and thrive in the lightlessness of the intestines. Make sure you keep your bottle sealed because probiotics do not like moisture either.

You man be thinking why should I buy a probiotic supplement when I can just eat yogurt? This is a good question! Take a look at your yogurt label or better yet look at what’s not on the label. No matter how many lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were present at the time of manufacturing, there’s no telling how many bacteria is left at the time you eat the yogurt, there is no probiotic potency guarantee. Look for a guarantee with x amount of probiotics on the label per serving. When you eat yogurt there is nothing protecting the probiotics from harsh stomach acids so the amounts that actually make it down to the intestinal tract is very little.

Almost all health problems experienced today are related in some way to the process of digestion. Keep your digestive tract as healthy as possible by taking a high quality probiotic that are viable and robust, that has a guarantee of potency and that is enteric coated. Make sure you take it daily for optimal health.

References:

1. Porth CM. Principles of digestion. In: Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott; 2002:136-145.

2. Whorwell PJ, et al. Efficiency of an encapsulated probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 in women with irritable bowel syndrome. Am J Gastroenterol, 2006; 101(7): 1581-90.

3. Kim HJ, et al. A randomized controlled trial of probiotic, VSL#3, on guy transit and symptoms in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2003; 17(7) 895-904.

Keith George asked:




Heartburn is a common symptom caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus. It is also identified as one of the causes of asthma and chronic cough. Even though heartburn is common, it is rarely life threatening. It is an unpleasant burning sensation under the breastbone that usually occurs after a meal. But a recent Gallup poll concluded that nighttime heartburn is also quite common. Although the pain of heartburn is felt in the chest, heartburn has nothing to do with your heart.

My heartburn is caused by a backup of stomach acid into my esophagus. Heartburn is a recognized medical condition – or at least some types of it are. If heartburn is a continual or severe problem, it’s a good idea to see your doctor. Clinical studies add further support to the concept that functional heartburn is not just a misdiagnosed GERD but rather a distinct entity. It is quite common, and an occasional episode is generally nothing to worry about. You may not know that chronic heartburn is linked to esophageal cancer and you may be surprised to learn that a major cause of heartburn is smoking.

Occasional acid indigestion symptoms or heartburn is common in most people. These symptoms can sometimes last up to 2 hours or longer. Wheezing or other asthma-like symptoms are appearing in adulthood. While these are the main symptoms of heartburn not all GERD symptoms will be the same and the disease may be present even without apparent symptoms.

Listen in as doctors explain the symptoms of heartburn, when you can safely self-medicate, and what warning signs require medical evaluation. An estimated 7 percent to 10 percent of the adult population in the United States experience symptoms of GERD every day. One should consult a physician for persistent symptoms. The burning and pressure symptoms of heartburn can last for several hours and are often worsen after eating. Remember that if you experience the symptoms you are not alone. The symptoms of heartburn are very common and in most cases, over the counter treatments and lifestyle changes are sufficient for providing relief.

Home treatment, such as lifestyle changes and nonprescription medicines, may be all that is needed to treat mild to moderate heartburn. Zanprol Tablets are a short course of 2 to 4 weeks of treatment that can stop recurrent heartburn for weeks at a time. New minimally invasive treatment for reflux stops heartburn. Natural herbal indigestion remedy and acid reflux treatment for natural acid reflux gives relief. The two most commonly used drugs for treatment of heartburn are H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). NEXIUM is for the treatment of frequent and persistent heartburn symptoms. But, prevention and treatment of heartburn starts with lifestyle changes.

However, heartburn is a medical condition with biological causes and it is an unpleasant burning sensation under the breastbone. It is also much more than an annoyance and you should treat it. Fortunately, it is usually very simple to treat and even to avoid. It is a more common problem in todays world and although it is not a condition itself – it is a symptom and a pain in the butt, especially at night when it can keep you from sleeping.

Groshan Fabiola asked:




One of the most commonly performed surgical procedures is hernia repair. The protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening is called hernia. The tyre wall separates the inner tube which can seep through the opening. Tissue protrudes occur through the abdominal wall.

As the hernia enlarges it forms a sac. The intestines can fall into this sac creating one of the major hernia symptoms-a bulge. A hernia is most often visible when standing. The bulge temporarily disappears when the tissue from the sac returns to its proper position by lying down. The hernia occur throughout the body in a groin area of 95 % per cent.

The weakness or defect in abdominal wall is called hernia. It may appear from birth or develop over a period of time. When the defect is large enough, abdominal contents such as the bowel, may protrude through the defect causing a lump or bulge felt by the patient. Hernia grows at certain sites which have a natural tendency to be weak; the groin, the ombilicus (belly button) and previous surgical incisions.

Hernia may occur due to the stress and strain of the abdominal wall. It takes time of the hernia sac to enlarge enough for tissue to fall into it. The hernia can be tolerate without surgery. A truss or binder may temporarily alleviate symptoms but will not cure the hernia. The defect in the belly wall corrects by surgery. The repair techniques involve pulling together muscles and ligaments for reinforcement. Muscles are soft and movable, while ligaments remain rigid and stationary.

After a hernia developed it will tend to enlarge and cause discomfort. When a loop of bowel gets caught in the hernia it may become obstructed or its blood supply may be cut off. This could become a life-threatening situation but today hernia is effectively repaired and with minimal risk most surgeons recommend that hernias be repaired when diagnosed unless there are other serious medical problems. A hernia repair involves making an incision in the abdominal wall.

Healthy tissues are cut until the area of weakness is found. The hernia is then repaired with sutures (stitches). A prosthetic material such as nylon is used to strengthen the area of weakness. The skin and other healthy tissues that were cut at the beginning are stitched back together to complete the repair. The defect in the abdominal wall is repaired from the inside of the abdominal cavity. This method used with the laparoscop characterizes the groin hernia. The patch is secured in place from the inside. Thus eliminates the necessity of cutting the skin and normal tissues of the groin to get down and repair the hernia.

The protrusions of soft tissue such as portion of the intestine through weak spot in a muscle usually in the abdominal wall bears the name of inguinal hernia. It occur where the abdomen meats the thigh in the groin region. Hernias are represented by weakness in the wall in the abdomen; sometimes they can cause ruptures. There are two ways of typical hernia: first by wear and tear over time (acquired hernias) and then a weakness in the abdominal wall that is present at birth (congenital hernias). People may “live” with hernias without even knowing. Hernias often get worse due to physical stress or aging. Hernias usually are congenital and are present at birth.

Different symptoms and feelings are produced by hernias. A protrusion appears between the pubis and the top of the leg and produces pain during urination or a bowel movement or when lifting a heavy object. The pain is usually sharp and immediately. Sometimes it feels like a dull aching sensation, a vague feeling of fullness, nausea or constipation; these symptoms may disappear when lying down. The reducible hernia can be pushed back by onto the abdominal cavity. If it cannot be pushed back it is non-reducible. This complication may lead to the obstruction on the flow of the intestinal contents or intestinal blood supply (strangulation) leading to tissue death, intestinal obstruction produces nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and abdominal pain and usually requires immediate surgery.

A strangulated hernia is painful and requires immediate surgery. In the case of inguinal hernias an abnormal opening appears in the large sac containing the internal organs and some of the organs protrude. When this abnormal opening appears on both sides it is called a bilateral inguinal hernia. There are also other hernias that may return and need to be repaired again. They are called recurrent inguinal hernias. They are not an indication of development of recurrent hernias new ways to strengthen the groin under investigation. Generally hernias are caused by congenital (defects at births) or age related weakness in the abdominal wall. An improper closure of the abdominal cavity during the body development in the womb appears at males.

The hernias can be also caused by an increase in pressure within the abdominal cavity due to heavy lifting, straining, violent coughing, obesity or pregnancy. Happily today there are many new techniques and modalities of healing hernias.

For more information about http://www.hernia-guide.com/Hernia-Surgery.htm”>Hernia Surgery or resources about http://www.hernia-guide.com”>hernia please review this website http://www.hernia-guide.com”>http://www.hernia-guide.com

Charles Inniss asked:




Leg raises can be a useful ab exercise, but for some people the risk of injury might outweigh the benefit gained from doing leg raises. Let’s talk a little more about what’s going on with your abdominal muscles and lower back during leg raises.

When you perform leg raises, your abdominal muscles work with your hip flexors. Your abdominal muscles work to keep your pelvis stable, while your hip flexors work to move your legs. This is actually an important motion to master, but here are the problems that may arise.

Problem #1: Your Abdominal Muscles are too Weak to Keep Your Pelvis and Lower Back Stable!

Our legs are heavy, so our abdominal muscles must work really hard to keep our pelvis and lower back in the correct position. As the legs lower towards the floor, there is a tendency for the lower back to arch. When the lower back arches, there is extra pressure placed on the joints of the lower back. The job of the abdominals is to stop the lower back from arching excessively, so if you have weak abdominals you will likely have extra pressure on your lower back when you perform leg raises.

Ab Workout Tip: You can build up your abdominal strength and protect your lower back by limiting your range of motion during leg raises. Begin with your hips at 90 degrees. Lower your legs until you feel your pelvis tipping and your lower back arching; at that point reverse directions and return to the starting position.

As you move closer to the floor more pressure is placed on your lower back so limit your range of motion and move only as far as you can control.

Workout Tip: If you have trouble keeping your legs straight in the air, it is likely a sign of poor flexibility in the hamstring muscles. Stretching your hamstrings can improve your form during this ab exercise.

Workout Tip: If you have any trouble performing leg raises, begin by mastering reverse crunches. Reverse Crunches can help to strengthen your abdominal muscles and increase the flexibility in your lower back, and they are a great exercise for beginners and athletes.

Problem #2: You Have Bad Posture and Bad Alignment in Your Spine!

Here are 2 simple statements about posture. When your posture and alignment are ideal, you have the least pressure on your lower back and the most stability. And, when your posture is not ideal, you have more pressure on the joints of your lower back and less stability in your lower back. Bad Posture adds pressure to your lower back.

Problem #3: Your Hip Flexors add Pressure to the Joints of the Lower Back!

When the legs move during ab exercises, the hip flexors contract. When the hip flexors contract, pressure is added to the lower back. This is a normal process, and this happens during every exercise and at every joint.

But if you have joint irritation in your lower back aggressively working your hip flexors can add excessive pressure to your joints. This problem is really only a problem if you have lower back injuries.

If you have weak abdominals, poor posture, and a lower back injury, then, full straight leg raises all the way to the floor are probably not the best ab exercise for you. If you are a beginner, start by practicing the drawing in maneuver and the plank exercise. Then, move on to reverse crunches and regular crunches. Once you have mastered the basics, it is okay to progress to leg raises and more challenging ab exercises

Richard Bond asked:




The gall bladder back pain is usually caused due to the inflammation or improper functioning of gall bladder, which is a small pear-shaped organ on the underside of the liver, in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. Its main function is to collect and store bile, which is used by the body to digest fats. Bile is made in the liver cells (hepatocytes) and consists of water, electrolytes, bile acids, phospholipids and bilirubin. It assists in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E and K.

Causes and Symptoms Of Gall Bladder Problems

Gall bladder diseases and problems are fairly common and affect both men and women.

Some of the gall bladder problems are caused by:

1. Production of toxic bile by the liver

2. Inadequate production of bile

3. Excess amount of cholesterol in bile, leading to the formation of gall bladder stones

4. Infection in gall bladder

5. Hormonal changes during pregnancy

6. Blood disorders or infections

The symptoms can vary from indigestion and nausea to vomiting and pain in the right upper abdomen. This pain also radiates to the lower back, resulting in gall bladder back pain.

Other symptoms include:

1. Fever due to inflammation in the gall bladder

2. Abdominal bloating

3. Severe heartburn and gas

4. Jaundice

5. Diarrhea

The lower back pain can be attributed to a gall bladder disorder problem that results in gall bladder pain called biliary colic. Biliary colic occurs when gallstones block the small duct that drains bile to the small intestine. Gallstones or biliary calculi are small stones formed from a mixture of cholesterol, bile pigment and calcium salts. The formation of gallstones is a very common disorder and affects approximately 15% of the people at the age of around 50.

However, in most cases, complication and infections don’t arise until gallstones block a bile duct, which then leads to severe pain lasting from 30 min to several hours. In such circumstances, you must undertake an ultra sound test to confirm the presence of gallstones and then get the proper treatment with the help of a doctor.

Chrisanne Sternal asked:




Do you suffer from Fibromyalgia? There can be several other conditions that are co-existent with the condition and one is irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS.

Our friend, Timothy Spaulding, a Top Health Blogger for the Arthritis Community on Wellsphere and author of the Current Arthritis News and Research Blog explains in his recent article about IBS and Fibromyalgia.

“IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder that has no apparent cause. Symptoms include intestinal discomfort and pain along with “alterations” in bowel habits. This means constipation, diarrhea or switching between the two. IBS is reported to affect as many as 20% of the general population and is 2 to 3 times more prevalent in women than men.”

Diagnosis of IBS generally is made after eliminating all other possible causes of the digestive issues.

Current studies indicate that as many as 77% of patients with fibromyalgia also have IBS. In fact, there are four conditions that have a higher than expected rate of co-occurrence with IBS that have little relationship to the digestive system:

Fibromyalgia Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ or TMD) Chronic Pelvic Pain

Other studies have shown that patients with both fibromyalgia and IBS experience symptoms that are 38% more severe than patients with only one of the conditions. Studies have also shown that people with both conditions tend to have a worse quality of life than those with only one.”

In many cases, Flexcin can help alleviate the pain associated with fibromyalgia. The primary component of Flexcin™ is CM8™ (cetyl myristoleate). Of all the ingredients in Flexcin, CM8™ is the most powerful. CM8™ functions in three different ways. First, it acts as a highly effective lubricant in the joints, muscles and other tissues, allowing them to move smoothly. Decrease or loss of morning stiffness is commonly noted shortly after commencing treatment. Next, CM8™ functions as an anti-inflammatory. Relief from swollen joints is often seen after the 4th or 5th week of treatment. Third, it is also an immune system modulator, which can be effectual against autoimmune diseases, such as arthritic conditions. CM8™ relieves joint pain at its source, reducing inflammation and irritation of the joints and tissues.

To read about the common characteristics between fibromyalgia and IBS, check out Timothy Spaulding’s full article here and other interesting topics on his Current Arthritis News and Research Blog.

Frank Thornton asked:




During a recent bout of severe lower back pain, my physiotherapist put me on a course of back exercises to alleviate my back pain.

I have to say that I was somewhat surprised given that I was in so much pain, but it actually worked and helped me recover quickly.

The theory behind stretching your back – even when you have a sore lower back – is that by extending the back muscles, you give relief to your back by taking pressure off the affected areas.

If you suffer form a herniated disc, your physio may have you do back exercises for disc problems because it will relieve the pressure caused by the herniated disc on the spinal nerves.

The back exercise I found most helpful was “the cat”. In this exercise, you get down on your hands and knees and arch your back up for a few seconds just like a cat. When you do this, you can feel the stretch in your lower back muscles.

Depending on how much pain you are in, your physio may recommend doing back exercises several times during the day. Don’t overdo things though. The last thing you want is to re-injure yourself.

One of the most popular lower back exercise programs is the McKenzie back exercises. Robin McKenzie is a famous physiotherapist from New Zealand whose techniques have been practiced for many years.

McKenzie believes that people suffer from back pain as a result of poor posture or bending incorrectly when lifting. The book advocates a series of back exercises including many safe lower back exercises which help make the back more flexible by extending the spine and improve your posture. (Note: talk with a doctor or physiotherapist before using this approach.)

One of the most popular items for back exercises is a Swiss ball, also known as an exercise ball or a fitness ball. Low back exercises with a Swiss ball really give you a good stretch.

A word of caution though. When you first start using a Swiss ball, take it easy. I slid off it a few times and if I’d had a sore back, this could have been painful. But when you do low back exercises on a Swiss ball, you are going to love the feeling that the stretch gives you.

If you like swimming or being in a pool, look into exercise programs that involve back exercises in a pool. You will find them at your local YMCA or swimming pool.

What’s good about doing back exercise in the pool is that the water takes the pressure off your back giving you more freedom to move and stretch your back.

At first it seems odd to be doing exercises when your lower back is sore, but I’ve learned that depending on your situation, it can be one of the best things you can do to get on the road to recovery.